UK terror threat ‘highest since 9/11’ as insider warns of ‘real risk’ of attack with record levels of ‘banter’
The UK terror threat is now at its highest level since 9/11, a security insider has warned.
The expert has warned there is a “real risk” of a coordinated terrorist action or a lone outsider launching an isolated attack on these shores.
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They also warned of record levels of ‘talking’ between spy-intercepted extremists, which were at their highest level since the Second World War. September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
Politicians have also been informed that the Israel-Hamas war has been used as a ‘recruitment advertisement’ by terror groups around the world.
It is also understood that security officials fear the possibility of an increase in extremist activities during the month Ramadan in the Muslim world, starting next Sunday.
One MP with knowledge of the latest briefings said Daily email: “The level of extremist talk is excessive. This is something they have seen grow and grow.”
They added: “It’s like when the Twin Towers collapsed in 2001 there was a huge spike of hate.”
The warning comes in the wake of the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak‘s speech outside Downing Street, where he warned there are “forces” who are willing to tear the country apart with their ‘hateful ideological agenda’.
In his speech on March 1, Sunak singled out Islamist extremists and the far right, who he said were desperate to “Brit against Brit”.
He called on Britain to “stand up for our shared values”.
Mr Sunak also criticized the recent Rochdale by-election, calling it “beyond alarming” that former Labor MP George Galloway victory assured.
He said: “Islamist extremists and far-right groups are spreading a poison: that poison is extremism.
“It aims to remove our confidence in ourselves as a people and in our shared future.”
Former Home office Minister Robert Jenrick also warned today that the Police and the intelligence services are too “burdened” to tackle the “cancer of Islamist extremism.”
He wrote in an article for The Mail on Sunday: “Despite the increase in far-right activity, the threat still comes overwhelmingly from Islamists.”
There is a high chance of both a 7/7 style attack and a lone attacker like Lee Rigby’s killers
A security expert
MPs have reportedly held a number of confidential meetings with MPs since December over the increase in ‘talk’ about possible plots.
A source told the newspaper: “There is a high chance of both a 7/7 style attack and a lone attacker like Lee Rigbyare murderers.”
Private Mr Rigby, who was off duty at the time, was killed in the south-east London by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale in 2013.
London transport system was attacked in a coordinated manner on July 7, 2005, killing 39 people.
‘GENERATIONAL RADICALIZATION’
Another insider warned not only of the risk of an immediate attack, but there was also fear of “generational radicalization” in the medium term.
Security officials are also reported to have warned that young British Muslims were particularly susceptible to becoming embroiled in extremism following the October 7 and Hamas attacks Israel‘s response.
A senior conservative told the newspaper that “groups will find it easier to raise money, recruit and be excused for their actions” because of the Gaza war.
Currently the country terrorism The threat level is ‘substantial’ – the third highest state of alert, indicating that an attack is likely.
I have not seen this level of overt extremism since I was appointed to my position in 2019
Jonathan HallKC
Alicia Kearnsthe Conservative chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, will ask ministers next week why the level has not been increased.
She said: “After the heinous crimes against humanity committed by Hamas, and the way Israel has continued its war against them, there can be no doubt that the risk of terrorism worldwide has seriously escalated.
“I am surprised that the national threat level has not been increased.”
Jonathan Hall KC, the independent assessor of counter-terrorism legislation, said last night: “I have not seen this level of overt extremism since I was appointed to my role in 2019.
“It is the public brutality of hatred directed at people by category, especially Zionists, or Israelis, or Jews.”
He said extremists see Britain as a legitimate target because it is allied with Israel and the US.
Mr Hall also saw that the increase in aggressive threats against politicians was part of the same problem.
He said: “The stuff directed at MPs isn’t just hate – it’s threats of murder and rape.”
What happened on 9/11?
On September 11, 2001, a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks occurred, allegedly financed by Al-Qaeda’s Osama bin Laden.
After hijacking four American passenger planes, the terrorists set sail for Washington DC and New York City.
On that day, 2,996 people lost their lives in the attacks on the Pentagon, World trade centerand the Twin Towers.
In addition to almost 3,000 deaths, another 25,000 were injured.
After the attacks, President George W. Bush sent troops to Afghanistan to track down bin Laden, where he remained at large until May 2, 2011.
While only three planes crashed into buildings, one did fourth plane that was hijacked by the terrorists.
United Airlines Flight 93 was a domestic flight scheduled to fly from New Jersey to New Jersey San Francisco which was hijacked shortly after take-off.
After the quick actions of the 40 civilians on the plane, they were able to crash the plane into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
While all 44 passengers, including the four hijackers, died, they prevented the flight from reaching its destination.
Head of MI5 Ken McCallum has previously warned that Hamas’ atrocities on October 7 could spark terror attacks in Britain.
He said: “Terrorists can draw inspiration not only from things they see happening in Britain, but also from things they see happening in the Middle East, on the continent or elsewhere.”
The last time the UK threat level was raised to critical – the highest level – was on September 15, 2017, after the Parsons Green bombing London Underground by Achmed Hassan.
Two days later it was downgraded to “severe”.
The level was also raised to critical following the Manchester Arena suicide bombing, which killed 22 people the same year.
Reports say there were “discussions” last November to raise the threat again.
Last month, metropolitan police Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes, the country’s top counter-terrorism official, said the Gaza crisis has led to a 25 percent increase in intelligence received by counter-terrorism officials.
Since the atrocities on October 7, the Met has made at least 33 arrests for terrorist offences, seven of which have been charged.
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