US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a foreign actor was 'clearly' behind a suspected plot near RAF Fairford, though he offered no evidence, as police released five British suspects on bail, prompting concern from the US.
Key facts
- Five British nationals from London were detained on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after three suspicious vans were reported near RAF Fairford early on Sunday.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a foreign actor was 'clearly' behind the suspected plot, but offered no evidence.
- Police released all five suspects on bail, prompting surprise from President Donald Trump and Rubio.
- The UK gave the US permission in March to use Fairford for 'specific defensive operations into Iran'.
- Some evacuated residents of the nearby village of Whelford began returning home.
A counter-terrorism operation near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire was mired in confusion on Tuesday after police released five suspects on bail, prompting concern and surprise from the US president and secretary of state, according to the Guardian.
Five British nationals from London were detained on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism after three suspicious vans were reported to police in the early hours of Sunday, outside the base in the village of Whelford. Some evacuated residents were reported to have begun returning home, though others were said to be hesitant to do so.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a foreign actor was ‘clearly’ behind the suspected plot. The Guardian reported that Rubio offered no evidence for his claims and also said many people were ‘disturbed’ that the five suspects had been released on bail. President Donald Trump earlier said he was ‘surprised’ the five men had been freed.
The base has a specific strategic role. The UK gave the US permission in March to use Fairford for ‘specific defensive operations into Iran’ to destroy Iranian missiles at source. US bombers and other planes have since been seen taking off and landing from the base, which the Guardian described as the only one on Britain’s mainland used for this purpose.
Nick Aldworth, the former national co-ordinator for UK counter-terrorism policing, said investigators make bail decisions based on risk rather than investigative or geopolitical concerns. He said bail provision ‘is set from a concrete foundation devoid of political or even investigative influence’ and that a custody officer determines whether those in custody present statutory risks. He added he had ‘every confidence’ that if police had released the individuals on bail, they did not pose ongoing risks to the public.
Local representatives voiced scepticism about the security response. Roz Savage, the Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds, whose constituency covers the base, said she had many questions about how the alleged plot was averted and said she would write to the prime minister and defence secretary with her concerns.
Why it matters
RAF Fairford is the only base on Britain's mainland used by the US for defensive operations targeting Iranian missiles, making any security threat there strategically significant. A senior US official publicly attributing a plot to a foreign actor without providing evidence, while questioning UK bail decisions, highlights tensions between American concerns and Britain's independent policing process.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at RAF Fairford?
Five British nationals from London were detained on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after three suspicious vans were reported to police early on Sunday outside the base in Whelford, Gloucestershire. The five were later released on bail.
What did Marco Rubio say about the plot?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a foreign actor was 'clearly' behind the suspected plot. According to the Guardian, he offered no evidence for the claim and said many people were 'disturbed' that the suspects had been released on bail.
Why is RAF Fairford significant?
The UK gave the US permission in March to use Fairford for 'specific defensive operations into Iran' to destroy Iranian missiles at source. The Guardian reported it is the only base on Britain's mainland used for this purpose.