Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Al-Qa'ida attack on UK 'inevitable'

Sophie Goodchild,Home Affairs Correspondent
Sunday 08 September 2002 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Al-Qa'ida attacks on Britain are almost inevitable, the Home Secretary David Blunkett admitted last night.

Mr Blunkett told The Independent on Sunday that there were "worrying lapses" in airport security and that "a real threat" still remained to Britain.

His comments, just days before the first anniversary on Wednesday of the 11 September attacks on the US, will heighten fears of further terrorist strikes.

Mr Blunkett, in issuing a stark warning against complacency, said: "The UK and its interests overseas remain a target for al-Qa'ida terrorists who will almost certainly seek to carry out further terrorist attacks, drawing on the network which they have already established. A real threat remains to this country. That is the stark truth."

A spate of near misses in the past week will have done nothing to soothe nerves in the run-up to Wednesday.

German authorities were yesterday holding two people over an alleged bomb plot at a US army base. Meanwhile, Kerim Chatty languishes in jail, charged with the attempted hijacking of a Ryanair jet.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in