Five UK nationals from London arrested on suspicion of plotting a terror attack at RAF Fairford have been released on bail pending further investigation. The men, all in their 20s, were detained on Sunday morning after police received a report of masked men and suspicious vans near the Gloucestershire base, which is currently used by the US.
Arrests and release
The suspects were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and later for preparation of a terrorist act contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act. They were released on bail on Monday afternoon. Police were first alerted at around 1.36am after a local farmer reported a group of masked men and three suspicious vans near the base.
Dozens of homes were evacuated, bomb disposal teams were dispatched, and a 400m cordon was put in place. The suspects are a 24-year-old from Camden, three men aged 23, 24 and 25 from Westminster, and a 24-year-old from Willesden.
Investigation and reactions
Counter-terrorism police have been investigating possible links to Iran, which has historically used proxies in the UK. Iran has categorically rejected any connection to the arrests. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting praised the farmer who alerted authorities, saying she acted "quickly and thoughtfully" and did the right thing.
US President Donald Trump claimed the suspects were under surveillance for a long time and that the US and Britain worked together. He said: "We had them under view for a long time, and we got them." Whitehall sources told the BBC the operation was not intelligence-led.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to chair a Cobra meeting following the incident. Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor urged the public to remain vigilant and said authorities would examine the case from all angles to determine whether the plot was organised by proxies.
