President Donald Trump has publicly questioned Britain's handling of a counterterrorism case after five men arrested near RAF Fairford, an airbase in western England used by the U.S. Air Force, were released on bail while the investigation continues.
The five men, British nationals aged between 23 and 25 and from the London area, were arrested in the early hours of Sunday on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing an act of terrorism. Police were alerted after a local farmer spotted three white vans parked near the base fence in the village of Whelford. All five were released on bail on Monday, one day after their arrests, subject to what the head of U.K. Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, described as "stringent conditions" on their movements and contacts.
Trump told reporters he was "surprised" that British authorities released them. "I wouldn't have done that," he said on Monday. On Tuesday he went further, saying he was "disappointed" and asking, "How do you give bail to a TERRORIST?!" He said the suspects were "serious people" and confirmed the United States was involved in the longstanding investigation. Trump added that he assumed British authorities have the men "watched closely," but said, "They should not have done that."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio separately told Fox News that the suspected plot involved "a foreign actor," without giving details, and called it a "very serious threat." British police said they are pursuing "multiple lines of inquiry," including whether the suspects had connections to Iran. Tehran has denied any involvement.
Taylor stressed that the release did not mean the investigation had ended, saying the men "absolutely remain under investigation." RAF Fairford has taken on added strategic importance because U.S. B-1 bombers have been flying missions against Iran from the base.