Wes Streeting has issued an update regarding the suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford following a Cobra meeting earlier this afternoon.
The Defence Secretary heaped praise onto the police and the security services after doing “everything that they could and should have been doing rapidly to help contain this situation”.
Andy Burnham called the emergency meeting amid the Labour Autumn Conference in Liverpool earlier this afternoon.
Mr Streeting’s initial comments coincide with authorities announcing that the residents who were evacuated near the miitary base were allowed to return home.
A cordon, however, has remained in place around three vehicles, Gloucestershire Police said.
Following the crunch meeting with the Government’s most senior officials, Mr Streeting told reporters: “We’re acutely aware that the events at RAF Fairford have caused considerable disruption to the local community and also wider public concern.
“What we can say at this stage is that the response of our policing, counter-terrorism policing and security services has been exemplary. The investigation remains ongoing.
“Of course, decisions around bail are operational decisions that are taken by the police and, where appropriate, the Crown Prosecution Service too.
Wes Streeting issued an update earlier this afternoon
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PA
“Those investigations remain live and I can reassure the public who will be interested and want further information of two things: the first is that those five individuals are under stringent bail conditions and, secondly, that we remain with a live investigation and keeping the situation constantly under review.”
Five men who were arrested following the incident on Sunday morning and were released on bail this afternoon.
The British nationals, who were in their 20s and from London, remain under investigation.
Earlier today, Shabana Mahmood announced that Whelford residents will soon return home after being evacuated.
Counter terror police shared an update on the RAF Fairford incident this afternoon
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PASpeaking at Labour’s conference, the Home Secretary said: “I would like to thank the police for their swift response to the situation.
“We must allow them to continue their work and not fuel any speculation, particularly as this could prejudice investigations.
“But I can say this: the nationalities of those responsible are now known and they are all British citizens.
“I can also say that thanks to the excellent work of the Army’s explosive ordnance disposal team, the scene is now safe and the residents of Whelford will shortly be returning home.”
MORE TO FOLLOW…
Police confirmed they were considering “every possible angle” amid the ongoing probe – including whether proxies or individuals working on behalf of a foreign state, Mr Taylor said.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, Mr Taylor added that he was aware “significant interest in whether the current geopolitical context has a bearing on this incident”.
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