RAF Fairford bomb plot: five suspects bailed as counter-terrorism probe continues
Five British nationals arrested near RAF Fairford have been released on bail, though counter-terrorism police say the investigation remains active.
RAF Fairford suspects bailed amid ongoing counter-terrorism investigation
Five British nationals arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire have been released on police bail, the Daily Express reports, as a major counter-terrorism investigation continues to generate uncertainty following a Cobra meeting and conflicting signals from authorities.
Gloucestershire Constabulary was alerted at 12.45am on Sunday after a local farmer spotted three suspicious vans travelling toward the base — used by the United States to conduct strikes against Iran — along with a group of masked men. Unable to reach the Ministry of Defence Police, the farmer called 999 at 1.36am; armed officers arrived approximately ten minutes later.
The five men — a 24-year-old from Camden, three men aged 23, 24 and 25 from Westminster, and a 24-year-old from Willesden — were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism. Police subsequently stated that the material recovered was not viable explosives, though the investigation is described as ongoing.
Laurence Taylor, head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, confirmed the bail decision while stressing its limits. "To be very clear, this does not mean that the investigation is over," Taylor said. "They are subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others. They absolutely remain under investigation as we explore multiple lines of inquiry."
Taylor also addressed speculation over foreign involvement, noting that one possibility involves proxies "either knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state." Iran, Russia and other hostile states have previously been linked to the use of proxies for operations on UK soil.
Iran's London embassy issued a firm denial, "categorically rejecting" and "strongly condemning the recent unfounded and malicious speculations" linking Tehran to the incident.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a Cobra meeting on Monday evening, telling LBC he convened the session "to make sure we have the full picture."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News the case "clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor" and characterised it as a "very serious situation." He added that "a lot of people are disturbed" by the suspects' release. President Donald Trump separately said he had been "surprised" that the group was freed.
Residents evacuated from around 85 households in the vicinity were permitted to return home on Monday, though a cordon around the three vehicles remained in place as counter-terrorism officers continued to monitor the scene.
Source: Daily Express