Police arrest 22-year-old British man on suspicion of terror offences over alleged RAF Fairford plot

A seventh man was arrested by police today as they continue to investigate a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford.The British national aged 22 was detained in Westminster on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts, Counter-Terrorism Policing confirmed. Property searches were carried out in the same area.Six suspects have already been arrested and released on bail after three suspicious vans were stopped near the airbase in Gloucestershire on Sunday, September 27.Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter-Terrorism Policing, said: 'This remains a live investigation and our specialist teams continue to pursue multiple lines of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding events near RAF Fairford.'Once again, I'd like to thank the public for their continued support and patience whilst we work through this highly complex investigation.'We're acutely aware of the public interest in this investigation, and we are working around the clock, and at pace, to identify the motivation behind events in Gloucestershire. We remain committed to investigating all possible angles.'Detectives also confirmed that six men in their 20s – including five who were arrested on September 27 and one on October 1 – all remained on police bail.It comes after sources claimed the US pulled its bombers from Fairford following fears about a possible drone attack similar to Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb. Armed police officers stand guard outside RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on September 28The five British men are arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire early on September 27 The three white vans are investigated by a robot after the alleged plot near RAF FairfordPentagon officials were allegedly worried that Iran would attempt a copycat attack on Fairford following the June 2025 operation by Ukraine which destroyed ten Russian aircraft.US military chiefs were concerned Tehran might replicate how Ukraine used lorry drivers to smuggle drones into Russia, and feared the explosives could already be in the UK, sources told ITV News.Officials believed Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps were plotting an attack to target the B-1 bombers and kill American pilots – also potentially using car bombs.President Donald Trump had revealed yesterday there were 'some threats' that led to the US pulling the aircraft, adding 'they didn’t fly out by accident' on Sunday.Insiders in Washington have also suggested to the BBC there were fears in the US over sabotage or strike attempts on aircraft if hostilities with Iran resumed.Intelligence was received that an IRGC branch had recruited British nationals to carry out a multi-pronged attack, which would have included a diversion in a local village.Earlier US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had sought to play down the withdrawal of the planes after suggestions the move was linked to security concerns.The top diplomat would not link the departure of the jets to the recent suspected terror plot targeting the base on September 27.But asked as Mr Trump left the White House yesterday if the planes had been moved in response to a threat, Mr Trump said: 'Yeah, I think we can say that.'They didn't fly out by accident. No, but there were some threats and rather than tempting the enemy, we'll capture the enemy and beat the enemy. B-1 bombers take off as they depart for home at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Sunday A B-1 bomber leaves RAF Fairford on Sunday as the US withdraws its bombers from the base'But why should we keep them there? So we moved them around a little bit, not very far.'He added: 'We actually know the people who made the threat.'US Vice President JD Vance said the planes had been redeployed 'out of an abundance of caution, trying to protect our guys'.Speaking as he left Washington to travel to Alaska, he told reporters: 'I think that we're going to be as careful as we possibly can be.'He added: 'We do feel with some confidence that the Iranians are, you know, they're trying to do what the Iranian state has done for 49 years, which is engage in acts of terrorism against the United States and against a lot of other people as well, so we are being extremely cautious.'But Mr Rubio said he 'wouldn't directly tie' the redeployment of the planes to the recent security alert close to the base.He added: 'It's not unusual to see movement of assets to different parts of the world based on exercises, redeployments, people changing out and new people coming in, new planes coming in and old planes going out.'Fairford had been hosting US bombers involved in strikes against Iran.The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that the aircraft that were stationed at the base 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.Mr Rubio said he had confidence in the security of all US bases, adding: 'With the Brits, we've worked very closely for a long time, including on this investigation, and they couldn't be more co-operative.'Yesterday Downing Street declined to comment on the withdrawal of US bombers but insisted RAF Fairford was safe. Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb saw drones smuggled into Russia by lorry drivers in July 2025 Russian TU-95 Bear bombers at the Olenya airbase on being destroyed by Ukrainian drones Ukrainian drones were smuggled into Russia in containers disguised as modular homes Russia's Belaya airbase in Irkutsk, Siberia, was set on fire after the drone strike by UkrainePrime Minister Andy Burnham said last week there were 'strong indications' that Iran played a part in the incident.Counter-terror police have said a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices were found in the vans that sparked the security alert.RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for 'defensive' strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.Last Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel had handed Britain intelligence about the suspected terror plot.Mr Netanyahu said his country warned UK authorities about the 'Iranian-sponsored attack' shortly before Britain's announcement of a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.Earlier in the week, Mr Trump said he was 'disappointed' after the five men were released on bail.He told reporters: 'We were involved in (the investigation), but as you know, your fellow countrymen let them go.'Well, they didn't let them go. They put them out on bail. I assume they haven't watched closely… they should not have done that.'Meanwhile Kemi Badenoch vowed Britain will be protected from air attack by its own 'Iron Dome' defences under a Tory government.The Conservative leader announced plans for a £10billion system, dubbed Britannia Shield, to guard cities, power plants and Army bases from missiles and drones fired by enemies such as Russia or Iran.Similar to the hardware used by Israel to defend itself, it would provide a network of radar, command and control systems, interceptors and counter-drone capabilities.