A 22-year-old British national was arrested in Westminster, London, on Tuesday as part of the investigation into an incident near the RAF Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire on September 27. This is the seventh arrest in connection with the incident, but no one has been charged yet. The arrest was made by counter-terror police, who are continuing to pursue multiple lines of enquiry.
The incident near RAF Fairford occurred on September 27, when police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the airbase. A major incident was declared, and dozens of homes were evacuated. Five men, aged between 23 and 25, were arrested on September 27 in connection with the incident and were subsequently released on police bail. They were detained on suspicion of explosives offences and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
A sixth man, a 25-year-old dual Iranian-British national, was arrested on October 1 in Westminster and was also later released on bail. The seventh arrest was made on Tuesday, and the individual is being held on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts. Senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans, said the investigation remains live and police are continuing to pursue multiple lines of enquiry.
RAF Fairford, near the village of Whelford, has been used by the US Air Force for decades. In recent months, the US has flown B-1 and B-52 bombers from the base to the Middle East, after the UK approved a request for Fairford to be used for defensive strikes against Iran. The base has been the subject of attention in recent weeks due to the incident and the movement of US bombers.
On Sunday, it emerged that the US had pulled its bombers out of the base and returned them to America. US President Donald Trump said the aircraft were removed due to some threats to the base, without giving specific details. Trump stated that the US would capture and beat the enemy, rather than tempting them.
US Vice-President JD Vance said the bombers were moved out of an abundance of caution. The comments came after US media reports suggested the decision was made after intelligence indicated Iran was plotting a drone attack. However, the BBC has not verified those reports. A spokesperson for US European Command said it would be inappropriate to discuss matters of intelligence.
The US remains at the highest state of readiness and would take appropriate actions to protect its people, platforms, and bases where its forces operate. Prior to Trump's intervention, a No 10 spokesperson had insisted RAF Fairford was safe and pointed to previous comments praising the UK's police, defence, and security services in relation to the base.
Key points
- A 22-year-old British national was arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts in connection with an incident close to RAF Fairford.
- The incident near RAF Fairford led to the evacuation of dozens of homes and the arrest of seven individuals, with no one yet charged.
- The US has pulled its bombers out of RAF Fairford base and returned them to America, citing threats to the base.
