Posts Tagged ‘Security Service Mi5’

Terror Threat Level Reduced

On Monday the Home Secretary, Theresa May announced that the Terror Threat to the UK from International Terrorism would be reduced from Severe to Substantial.This means that a terrorist attack is a strong possibility and might well occur without further warning. The Terror Threat level posed by Northern Irish Terrorism remains unchanged at Severe in Northern Ireland and Substantial on the UK Mainland. Prior to this Terror Threat change, the UK was at Severe since the 22 Jan 2010.

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You should always remain alert to the danger of terrorism and report suspicious activity:

• in an emergency call 999
• call the Anti-Terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 to report any suspicious activity
• report suspected terrorism activity to the Security Service (MI5) using their website
• report online terrorism or hate content to the police

On the 15 October, Jonathan Evans (Director General of MI5 (The Security Service)) made a speech at Bristol University entitled “Defending the Realm”. Bristol University is in its Centenary Year as is the Security Service and Bristol University is also where the DG joined the Security Service from in 1980.

During the speech the DG reflected on the history of the Service and its current role in the “War on Terror”

The DG commented on recent reports of MI5 agents being complicit in the torture of detainees. While he made reference to the fact that as the cases were still being heard there was very little he could say but during the speech he did mention this very relevant fact.

“I have every confidence in the behaviour of my officers in what were difficult and, at times, dangerous circumstances. This was not just a theoretical issue. Al Qaida had indeed made plans for further attacks after 9/11: details of some of these plans came to light through the interrogation of detainees by other countries, including the US, in the period after 9/11; subsequent investigation on the ground, including in the UK, substantiated these claims. Such intelligence was of the utmost importance to the safety and security of the UK. It has saved British lives. Many attacks have been stopped as a result of effective international intelligence co-operation since 9/11″

He went on to quote an article by Alan Johnson and David Miliband.

Intelligence from overseas is critical to our success in stopping terrorism. All the most serious plots and attacks in the UK in this decade have had significant links abroad. Our agencies must work with their equivalents overseas… we have to work hard to ensure that we do not collude in torture or mistreatment. Enormous effort goes into assessing the risks in each case. But it is not possible to eradicate all risk. Judgements need to be made.

That is the reality of the situation: we do not solicit or collude in torture. We do not practice torture. But we are operating in a difficult and complex environment.