Donald Trump has criticised the decision to release five terror suspects on bail after their arrest near RAF Fairford, saying he was “disappointed” that people he described as terrorists had been allowed to go free.
The US president said the investigation had involved American authorities and told reporters at the White House that the suspects’ “fellow countrymen” had released them. “These were serious people, seriously bad people and they should not have done that yet,” he added.
The five British men were arrested on Sunday after three vans were found near the Gloucestershire air base, which has been used by US military forces to carry out strikes against Iran. They were initially held on suspicion of explosives offences before being detained under counter-terrorism powers.
All five were released on police bail on Monday. Counter Terrorism Policing said the decision was an investigative one and that the suspects remained under investigation subject to strict conditions.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said no improvised explosive devices had been found, although police recovered a quantity of petrol from the vans.
“The safety of the public is at the forefront of our investigative decision making, and this was certainly the case yesterday,” Mr Taylor said.
He added: “I understand why this development will have come as a surprise to many, but I’d like to reiterate that it was investigative decision, and one which is grounded in experience and careful consideration of policing powers.”
The suspects are a 24-year-old from Camden and a 23-year-old, two 24-year-olds and a 25-year-old from Westminster. Police have not said when they are due to answer bail.
The arrests prompted a major incident, with SAS troops deployed from Hereford and an emergency Cobra meeting called by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Around 85 evacuated households near RAF Fairford were allowed to return home on Monday, while cordons were expected to be removed completely on Wednesday.
Searches of the men’s London homes have been completed. One local businesswoman complained that those arrested could have been allowed to return home before residents in nearby Whelford.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the alleged plot involved “the hand of a foreign actor” and referred to Iran as one possible line of inquiry, while stopping short of directly blaming Tehran.
Iran’s embassy in London “categorically” denied any involvement, calling reports linking the country to the arrests “unfounded and malicious speculations”. Mr Rubio described the incident as a “very serious situation” and thanked British authorities for their co-operation.
Mr Taylor said public concern over the suspected terror plot had been “heightened by the international commentary”, as the investigation continued.
