Summary
The suspected terror plot foiled next to RAF Fairford has sparked concerns the “impact of wider political decisions” made in the USA are now “coming home to roost here in an alarming way”.
Details
Five men were arrested in Whelford in the early hours of Sunday (September 27) on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences after a local farmer alerted the authorities that three suspicious vehicles were seen heading towards the base. A major incident was declared and 85 nearby households were evacuated.
Iran “categorically rejects” it had any involvement, its London embassy said, condemning what it described as “unfounded and malicious speculations”. Although little has been disclosed about the arrested men at this stage , the “very worrying” situation has sparked concerns over how decisions taken elsewhere in the world may now be having an impact in Gloucestershire.
At the world reacts, we spoke to three political leaders locally: Councillor Paul Hodgkinson (LD, Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach), who is the fire and rescue cabinet member at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “When I woke up yesterday morning to find messages from, amongst others, the chief fire officer telling me what was happening, it was very alarming.
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“We are now feeling the impact of wider political decisions that were made in the USA, these things are now coming home to roost here in an alarming way. “The USA and President Trump have launched an illegal war in the Middle East. “Our Government initially said that they weren’t going to be part of that, but then Keir Starmer changed his view and allowed US aircraft to refuel and to use Fairford air base.
“That is not something I agree with, and I don’t think we should play any part at all in this war, which, let’s face it, has been completely disastrous on so many fronts. “Lots of people have lost their lives and lots of people injured. “It’s caused petrol prices to go through the roof.
I can’t see any positives in what’s going on in Iran at all.
“Having said all that, we’re now sadly seeing the impact of that on our locality, and I think it’s really incumbent on the Government to beef up the security around the air base substantially to protect local people and to give them more reassurance.” Cllr Hodgkinson commended the response from the emergency services including Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue who were on site from the early hours of Sunday morning taking part in the evacuation.
Report source: Gloucestershire Live
