A seventh man has been arrested in the investigation into the incident at RAF Fairford.

A 22-year-old British national was arrested in Westminster, London, on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts, Counter Terrorism Police (CTP) has confirmed.


A search of a property in the same area has also been carried out.

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 enquiry into the circumstances surrounding events near RAF Fairford.

“Once again, Iโ€™d like to thank the public for their continued support and patience whilst we work through this highly complex investigation.

“Weโ€™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.”

Five other British nationals were arrested on Sunday, September 27, after three suspicious vehicles were reported to the police outside RAF Fairford in the early hours of the morning. They were later bailed.

A sixth man, dual UK-Iranian national, was later arrested on Thursday, October 1. He also remains on bail.

RAF FairfordA seventh man has been arrested in the investigation into the incident at RAF Fairford | GETTY

The United States withdrew all B-1 Lancer bombers – estimated to be 12 – from the base over the weekend, with the Pentagon insisting: “US Air Force bombers routinely operate around the world to support global force readiness and operational requirements.”

These sentiments were echoed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said “new planes coming in, old planes going out” was normal, and that there are “regular rotations that happen”.

However, Donald Trump told the media yesterday evening that it was “some threats” that ultimately led to the decision to withdraw the aircrafts.

The President declared they will “capture the enemy and beat the enemy”, adding the US “actually knows the people that made the threat” – though stopped short of confirming who.

B-1 bomber leaving RAF FairfordThe Pentagon confirmed all its B-1 lancer bombers were headed back to their home bases in the US after being filmed leaving the base on Sunday (pictured) | REUTERS

His comments were despite Downing Street insisting yesterday the Gloucestershire base is “safe”.

The US has used the base as an outpost for launching strikes on the Islamic Republic from Europe for the last seven months.

The President has made his feelings perfectly clear on the alleged foil terror plot in Gloucestershire.

When the initial five suspects were released on bail, Mr Trump said he was left “surprised” by the decision, adding: “I wouldn’t have done that”.

He has also suggested the plot had links to the Iranian regime – along with Andy Burnham.

The Prime Minister told GB News there were “strong indications” the country played a part, while Mr Trump said US intelligence had them “under view for a long time”.

Police at RAF Fairford

Counter Terrorism Police are continuing their investigation at the base

| GETTY

British officials have admitted there is “an ongoing high tempo of threat from Iran to the UK, and it is logical that US airbases would be pretty high on any targeting list”.

US Vice President JD Vance told reporters Iran is doing what it has “done for 49 years… which is engage in acts of terrorism against the US and against a lot of other people”.

He also said an “abundance of caution” promted the removal of the US bombers.

The Islamic Republic has categorically denied involvement in the alleged terror plot.



Source link


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x