A seventh man has been arrested in London by police investigating a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford.
The 22-year-old British national was detained on Tuesday in Westminster on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
Six suspects have already been arrested - all in the capital - and released on bail after three suspicious vans were stopped near the airbase in Gloucestershire on Sunday September 27.
Investigation continues
Police discovered a quantity of petrol but no explosives after the three vans were stopped.
Announcing the latest arrest, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans, said: “This remains a live investigation and our specialist teams continue to pursue multiple lines of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding events near RAF Fairford.
“Once again, I’d like to thank the public for their continued support and patience whilst we work through this highly complex investigation.”
She added: “We’re acutely aware of the public interest in this investigation, and we are working around the clock, and at pace, to identify the motivation behind events in Gloucestershire. “We remain committed to investigating all possible angles.”
Trump comments on threats
Donald Trump has criticised the decision to free the men and has told of alleged threats to US forces at RAF Fairford.
The US president said the military aircraft “didn’t fly out by accident” from RAF Fairford, which has been used by America for defensive bombing missions against Iran.
Asked as he left the White House on Monday if the planes had been moved in response to a threat, Trump said: “Yeah, I think we can say that. They didn’t fly out by accident.
“No, but there were some threats and rather than tempting the enemy, we’ll capture the enemy and beat the enemy.
“But why should we keep them there? So we moved them around a little bit, not very far.”
He added: “We actually know the people who made the threat.”
US redeployment
The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that the aircraft that were stationed at the base had been “redeployed to their home stations in the United States”, but stressed the US Air Force retained the ability to strike “anywhere, any time”.
US officials told The New York Times the redeployment of the bombers had been ordered after more specific details about threats to the base emerged over the weekend.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had sought to play down the withdrawal of the planes after suggestions the move was linked to security concerns.
Andy Burnham has suggested that Tehran is behind the Fairford incident.
On Monday, Downing Street declined to comment on the withdrawal of US bombers but insisted RAF Fairford was safe.
