Seventh suspect bailed in connection with RAF Fairford incident

The seventh suspect arrested by police investigating a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford has been released on bail.

The 22-year-old British national was held on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts in Westminster, central London, on Tuesday, Counter-Terrorism Policing said.

Six suspects have already been arrested and released on bail after three suspicious vans were stopped near the airbase in Gloucestershire on Sunday, 27 September.

CTP said the man has been “released from police custody under strict bail conditions”.

RAF Fairford was used by US bombers, which were removed over the weekend after the drama, although it remains unclear precisely why the US made the move.

Five suspects, all British nationals in their 20s, were arrested on 27 September.

No explosive materials were found in the vans, but a quantity of petrol was seized, police said, and four days later a sixth man, a dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested.

Prime minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident which followed a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London, linked to an Iran-backed group.

The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that the aircraft had been “redeployed to their home stations in the United States”, but stressed the US Air Force retained the ability to strike “anywhere, any time”.

US officials told the New York Times the redeployment of the bombers had been ordered after more specific details about threats to the base emerged over the weekend.

On Monday, Downing Street declined to comment on the withdrawal of the bombers but insisted RAF Fairford was safe.

Counter Terrorism Policing is appealing to anyone with information which may assist the investigation to report it via gov.uk/ACT or by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.