BRITAIN'S security services have foiled a terrorist plot in the last three weeks, it has emerged.
David Cameron revealed how there had been seven plots in the last few months; one more than was revealed by Andrew Parker, the head of MI5, as recently as October 28.
The PM's spokesman explained that there had been seven terror plots foiled "in the last year" ie during the last 12 months.
Herald View: The dangers in rushing to war after Paris
When it was pointed out that given Mr Parker had said at the end of October there had been six plots, this then meant one had been foiled in just the past three weeks, the spokesman replied: "Yes. He set that out at that point...It's definitely seven."
Earlier, the Prime Minister again repeated that the UK faced a "generational struggle" against so-called Islamic State, announcing an additional 1900 personnel are to be taken on the by the security services to combat the increased terror threat. Details of the new funding will be announced on Monday in the UK Government's security and defence spending review. Meantime, spending on airport security is to be doubled to nearly £20 million.
"I have been aware of these cells operating in Syria that are radicalising people in our own country, potentially sending people back to carry out attacks. Our security services have stopped seven attacks in the last six months albeit on a smaller scale(to the Paris attack)," explained Mr Cameron.
Three weeks ago, the MI5 chief said in a speech: "With our partners, we have thwarted six attempts at terrorist attacks in the UK in the last year and several plots overseas."
The PM made clear that Britain, which alongside other EU countries, observed a one minute's silence today out of respect for those killed in the Paris massacre, stood shoulder to shoulder with France.
"Those attacks in Paris, that could have happened in Belgium, that could have happened in Denmark, it could have happened in Sweden, it could happen here. We stand in total solidarity with France after the appalling attacks in Paris," declared Mr Cameron, who is due to give a speech later today that will touch on security matters .
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel