Five men arrested in RAF Fairford incident released on police bail

Counter-terrorism officers say five men detained close to RAF Fairford will be freed on bail while the case continues. The group is aged 23 to 25 and comes from different parts of London.

Police first held them over alleged explosives violations, then arrested them again over alleged planning of a terrorist act. Three are reported to reside in Westminster, with the other two in Camden and Willesden.

Investigators say they are pursuing several possible explanations, including whether people acting for another country played a part. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said three linked vehicles have undergone detailed checks with help from military teams and forensic specialists.

A local resident who asked not to be named described returning home to blocked roads and encountering masked individuals. She said calls to the base defence officers went unanswered before she contacted emergency services, after which armed officers quickly arrived in the village.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham led an emergency Cobra session and urged the public "not to speculate" while facts are established. The case follows recent use of the base by US aircraft bound for the Middle East, a claim by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of a "foreign actor", criticism from President Donald Trump who said he was "surprised" by bail, and an Iranian embassy response condemning "misleading and damaging media narratives".