Police investigating a possible Iran-backed terror plot at RAF Fairford said they know exactly why one suspect called 999, and have a lot more secret intelligence about the alleged plot, Britain’s top officer has said.
A 22-year-old British national was held in central London yesterday on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism. It came after the US withdrew its B-1 bombers from the Gloucestershire airbase over fears of a drone blitz following the suspected foiled attack on September 27.
Arrests and bail
Five Britons in their 20s were arrested when men in balaclavas were seen approaching the RAF base in Gloucestershire in the early hours of the morning. It later emerged that one of the men had called 999 himself.
A sixth man, a British-Iranian citizen aged 25, was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of preparing terrorist attacks. All six of these men live in London and have been released on bail. No one has been charged.
Met Commissioner’s comments
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley told LBC on Thursday: “We chose to release on bail based on where we were at that point. The investigation continues. We’ve arrested more people. You will see further updates and further progress on this investigation.”
Sir Mark said his officers were working closely with security services who have “sensitive information”. He added: “We're making more arrests. So, you’ve seen that we’re making more arrests, and there will be further updates.” Sir Mark said he knew “lots of detail that isn't public about what was going on”.
Asked if he knew if it was a dummy run and why one of the arrested men called the police, he said: "I know all of the above and lots and lots more. Please trust us, and you will see the investigation continue to develop."
UK bases safe and secure
His comments came as Britain's most senior military officer insisted UK bases were safe and secure following the incident at RAF Fairford. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence Staff, said the removal of the US aircraft from the base in Gloucestershire was taken to reduce risk.
Sir Richard explained the decision to move the aircraft, which had been stationed there to support deployments in the Middle East, was an “operational decision”. He said: “We take the security of all of our bases in Europe enormously seriously. We constantly assess the threats that we face, and we move our assets and our people around in order to protect those that we consider to be under threat.
“The decision to remove the bombers, which don't ordinarily live there, to take them back was an operational decision to reduce the risk. But we have enormously close relationships from an intelligence perspective and operationally with the US, and that's what gives me confidence around the safety and security of our bases here.”
US relations and further details
Sir Richard rejected suggestions the suspected terror plot could have damaged long-term relations with the US. “What I heard from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recently, and also from the commander of the European, US forces in Europe, was complete faith in our relationship. They were very keen to tell me how pleased they were with the response, both the military and the civil police.”
He described the special relationship as “fundamental” and said the US was the UK's “closest ally”, adding: “Our relationship with the US is fundamental. We are the closest ally of the US. They are our closest friend, both militarily and practically and so the relationship between the two countries is fundamental. We have a super-close relationship and it's really important to our long-term stability and security.”
On Monday, President Donald Trump said there had been “some threats” and the bombers “didn't fly out by accident” from RAF Fairford. Police did not find any explosive materials inside the three vans, but a quantity of petrol was seized.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident which followed a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London, linked to an Iran-backed group.
Sir Richard was speaking as he visited troops taking part in Exercise Cambrian Patrol at the Sennybridge training area in Brecon, Mid Wales. Soldiers from a record 35 nations are testing their skills in one of the world's toughest military exercises. The annual exercise, which was first held in 1959, sees eight-strong patrols cover around 60 kilometres of some of the most demanding terrain in Mid Wales over 48 hours. This year's event also reflects the changing nature of warfare, with large drones being used to transport equipment as part of the exercise.
Speaking about the exercise, Sir Richard said: “The very fact that we're able to see 35 nations come here from as far afield as New Zealand tells you something about the draw of both this place and this competition but also how important it is for our soldiers to learn from each other. I think it's a real vote of confidence in the UK armed forces and the British Army.”
