Business · Doha New
A dual UK-Iranian national was being questioned by police on Thursday night after he became the sixth person arrested in connection with the suspected RAF Fairford terror plot. The 25-year-old man was arrested in the borough of Westminster on Thursday on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said. Officers have also searched two properties in the area as part of the investigation.
Police patrol the perimeter at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire (Ben Birchall/PA) (PA Wire) Five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism and then bailed after three suspicious vans were spotted near the military site in Gloucestershire over the weekend. Senior CTP national co-ordinator Vicki Evans said: “The investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of inquiry. “As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement.
“I’d like to thank the public for their continued support and patience whilst we work through this investigation.” Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there were “strong indications” Iran played a part in the incident near the Gloucestershire military base. The British ambassador to Tehran met with Iran’s foreign ministry on Thursday at the Iranian government’s request. RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted the US permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.
Counter-terror police have said a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices were found in the vans that sparked the security alert near the airbase. On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel handed Britain intelligence about the suspected terror plot. Mr Netanyahu said his country warned UK authorities about the “Iranian-sponsored attack” shortly before Britain’s announcement of a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Source: The Independent
