Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed he will chair a Cobra meeting later this afternoon, following the arrest of five people by counter-terror police near RAF Fairford on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences.
Three vans were spotted near RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday morning, prompting a large-scale operation in Gloucestershire that saw the area placed under cordon. On Monday, September 28, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said the suspects were all UK nationals in their 20s.
Police investigation and cordon
A police cordon remains in place in Whelford. Police are understood to be investigating whether any potential plot could be linked to Iran, which has used proxies to carry out crimes on British soil in the past.
Speaking with Shelagh Fogarty live from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, the Prime Minister told LBC that he will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency committee to ensure ministers "have the full picture".
Prime Minister's statement
Mr Burnham told LBC that defence remains high on his priority list ahead of his speech at the conference tomorrow afternoon. He said: "Everyone can feel the world changing" as he vowed to top up defence funding.
The Prime Minister added: "I will chair a meeting over COBRA later this afternoon. It's obviously a live investigation, so there's only so much I can say on that."
Iranian Embassy response
In a statement on social media, the Iranian Embassy said: "The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base."
The statement continued: "The circulation of such fabricated speculations, particularly in the aftermath of the criminal acts of aggression committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Iranian people, will serve no purpose other than to fuel Iranophobia propaganda in the UK."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to take appropriate legal measures, as necessary, to safeguard the rights and interests of the country and its people in response to misleading and damaging media narratives."
Counter Terrorism Policing comment
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, of Counter Terrorism Policing, said: "This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation, involving local and national policing, the MoD, and local agencies, who are working together to progress the investigation and support for the community."
"I know this has been incredibly disruptive for local people, but I’d like to reassure them that our activity is in the interest of national security, but most importantly in the interest of their own safety."
She added: "I am very aware of the levels of speculation about the motivation behind this incident, and the geopolitical questions that are being raised. However, I ask that at this time, Counter Terrorism Policing are given the space to work carefully and clearly."
Tomorrow will be a significant day for Mr Burnham, who will deliver his first speech as leader of the Labour party in Liverpool. Earlier this week, he said his debut speech would leave nobody in any doubt about "what I'm trying to do in this role."
He added: "People are going to know the direction I want to take this country and I will set it down quite clearly."
