Five British nationals detained in connection with an alleged bomb plot at RAF Fairford have been released on police bail, raising fresh questions about the investigation.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor confirmed the release just after 3.30pm on Monday, a day after authorities declared a major incident at the US airbase. US President Donald Trump had warned that a group wanted to do “big damage”.
Evidence questions
If police truly believed the men were part of a terror cell about to attack the base, it would be extraordinarily unlikely they would be released on bail. Officers could have held them in custody for longer to question them and obtain vital clues.
There were rumours that suspected explosives found in three vans near the airbase were not “viable” devices, which may have played into the decision to release the five men.
Government response
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, among others, have thanked police and security services for keeping the public safe. Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a COBR meeting on Monday.
The speed of emergency responses suggests there was an intelligence warning of a threat against the base.
Security review calls
The incident has exposed how capable actors could target UK military bases. Ministers must use this to review security arrangements and ask what more can be done to prevent similar attempts in the future.
If it transpires this was not the impending disaster many feared, Britain’s enemies will have watched how easily it could have happened and taken note.
