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Five British nationals arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences were released on police bail, prompting US criticism as Marco Rubio blamed a foreign actor.
Five British nationals from London arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism near RAF Fairford have been released on police bail, triggering reactions from US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Arrests Near RAF Fairford Trigger US Reaction
The men were detained early on Sunday after a local farmer alerted police to three white vans driving towards RAF Fairford, a British base housing US bombers that fly missions against Iran. The village of Whelford in Gloucestershire was locked down, residents were evacuated for 36 hours and bomb disposal robots were dispatched. On Monday, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing announced all five men had been released on bail.
Sources said the release suggested detectives believe it unlikely the suspects had been on the brink of a mass casualty attack by exploding a bomb close to the base. An initial examination of the vans led police to suspect they carried explosive materials, with assessments made as to whether they were viable improvised explosive devices. After the suspects' release it emerged that no explosive material had been found.
Marco Rubio said in a Fox News interview on Monday evening that a foreign actor was clearly involved. What could have happened in the UK over the weekend is a very serious situation, he said, adding that it clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor. Rubio provided no evidence for his claims. Rubio also said a lot of people were disturbed that some of these people have been released on bail.
He thanked British authorities for their handling of the incident. Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that he would not have released the suspects on bail. We know everything about them. We would not have released them, he said.
Trump Suggests Foreign Actor Involved In Plot
Asked whether the case was linked to Iran, Trump said: It might be. Pressed to give details, Trump said: I'd rather not. I mean, I know the answer, I could be very specific, but I'd rather not say. I would not have released them.
Trump had previously suggested the plot was known to US authorities, but British sources suggested the specific activities of the men were unknown. The assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said the release of the men on bail did not mean the investigation was over and that they were subject to stringent conditions. He said: I know there is significant interest in whether the current geopolitical context has a bearing on this incident.
At counter-terrorism policing we are working within this context every day, and at this stage we are keeping an open mind in this investigation. But be assured, we are considering this from every possible angle. Including, that this may be activity committed by proxies, or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state. Tensions have been high at RAF Fairford since Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in July that the base was a legitimate target.
Iran Denies Involvement In RAF Fairford Incident
Iran's embassy in London has denied any involvement in the events near RAF Fairford. MPs and councillors representing the local area said the messaging was inconsistent. Tristan Wilkinson, a councillor representing the ward, said: It seems insane that this appears to have been a tipoff from a member of the public, and the security services are claiming that there was a level of intelligence involved as well.
I don't see how those two things can both come through at the same time. Iran is suspected of using proxies in the UK, in incidents ranging from alleged arson attacks against Jewish targets to men flying a basic drone near the Israeli embassy.
Marco Rubio Counter-Terrorism Investigation Iran Proxies Suspects Released On Bail
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