A 27-year-old British-Iranian man has been arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with an alleged plot near an RAF base used by the United States.
The dual national was detained in Westminster, London, today under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, which covers the preparation of terrorist acts.
A second man, aged 26 and a British national, has also been questioned under caution. Counter Terrorism Police said officers searched two properties in the same area.
Meanwhile, five men in their mid-20s arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Sunday remain on police bail. They were detained on suspicion of explosive offences and terrorism-related activity.
The five men, all British nationals from London, were arrested in the early hours after police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles in the village of Whelford.
They were released on bail on Monday in what police described as an “investigative decision”, saying the move was based on experience and strategy.
Officers found petrol inside vans parked near the base, but no explosive devices were recovered.
Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said: “The investigation into the circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of enquiry.
Five British men were arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire early on Sunday
A robot examines three white vans following the alleged plot near RAF Fairford
A van operated by the genuine company ‘Fuel 2U’, which is not connected to the RAF Fairford investigation
“As we’ve made clear, we’re examining every possible angle, including potential involvement by a foreign state. I would like to thank the public for their continued support and patience as we work through this investigation.”
The latest arrest follows claims by Prime Minister Andy Burnham that there are “strong indications that Iran played a part” in the incident. He did not provide further details.
Iran’s embassy in London has strongly denied that Tehran was involved in Sunday’s events.
Speaking to GB News on Wednesday, Mr Burnham said: “There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend. It is, though, still an ongoing and very serious police investigation.”
CHECK THIS OUT: Lindsay Clancy’s Lawyer Denies Shifting Strategy After Mistrial
He added: “Obviously, I’ve been dealing with this while I’ve been here in Liverpool [for the Labour Party Conference]. We have held a Cobra meeting here. We are completely on top of things, but will say more when we can.”
Asked by the BBC about the suspects being released on bail, Mr Burnham said: “I think people need to understand that when it says released, that isn’t as people might think. It’s obviously with the strictest possible bail conditions.
“The authorities have this under the strongest grip and closest control, and I can assure you of that.”
The farmer who alerted authorities on Sunday said one of the three vans had lettering that appeared to be counterfeit. The vehicle displayed the name “Fuel 2You”, which is not connected to the genuine Beaconsfield-based fuel delivery company Fuel2U.
It was also observed that the telephone number printed beneath the company name — 0742 418 2599 — had been spaced in a format predominantly associated with Iran.
Others pointed out how it was odd to use a red logo for a business supplying fuel, when the colour of petrol pumps in the UK is green. In Iran, the colour is red.
It comes as a video showed the moment a police robot blasted the doors off one of the vans near the base. The clip, exclusively obtained by Our News Outlet, was captured on a resident’s security camera.
Armed police maintained road blocks and security checks around RAF Fairford on Sunday in Fairford, England
The ‘Fuel 2You’ branding raised suspicions the men may have been transporting fuel
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that one of the five men arrested over the plot called police before they were detained.
The suspect phoned around an hour before a farmer said she called 999 at 1.36am on Sunday after discovering three vans blocking a road near the base.
The five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, and from London, were subsequently arrested.
It has also emerged that petrol, but no explosives, was found in the vans which sparked the security alert in the village of Whelford.
This is a breaking news story – more to follow
