UK insists terror-linked military base is safe as US withdraws bombers

The United States moved 12 B-1 bombers back to North America after a suspected terror plot near the British base.MANCHESTER, England (CN) — The British government insisted Monday that a Royal Air Force base used by the United States remains safe after Washington withdrew all of its bombers amid security concerns linked to a suspected terror plot.A Downing Street spokesperson said while he would not comment on “foreign nations’ military operations,” RAF Fairford, located in Gloucestershire in southwest England, was safe.He pointed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments last week praising British police, defense and security services over their handling of the incident.The spokesperson also pointed to comments by British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting, who said last week: “We have tried and tested approaches to defend our bases around the country and throughout the world.”The Pentagon confirmed Sunday that all U.S. bombers deployed to RAF Fairford had returned to their home stations in the U.S.About 12 B-1 bombers had been stationed at the Gloucestershire base.The withdrawal came days after six men were arrested in connection with an investigation into suspected terrorist activity near the base, which has been used by U.S. bombers for operations against Iran.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday he would not directly link the bomber withdrawal to last week’s incident.“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,” Rubio said.The Pentagon said the U.S. bomber force remained ready to conduct long-range operations from the U.S.American withdrawal follows security investigationThe first five suspects were arrested Sept. 27 near RAF Fairford after police received a report of suspicious vehicles near an access gate.The men, all British nationals in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.Police later said they found a quantity of gasoline in three vans but no explosive devices.All five were released on bail.A sixth man, a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national, was arrested Thursday in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. He was also released on bail Saturday.Counterterrorism police continue to investigate whether the incident involved Iran or another foreign state.The Labour Party’s center-left Prime Minister Andy Burnham said last week there were “strong indications that Iran played a part” in the incident.Iran has denied involvement.Base long important to U.S.RAF Fairford has served as an operating location for the U.S. Air Force for decades.The British government owns the base, while the U.S. uses it for military operations.Earlier this year, Britain allowed U.S. forces to use RAF Fairford for what it described as defensive strikes against Iran.Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in July that RAF Fairford was a legitimate military target because of its role in U.S. operations.Centrist Liberal Democrat defense spokesperson James MacCleary called the U.S. decision “deeply concerning” and urged the government to set out a plan to ensure British military bases are “fit for purpose.”Courthouse News reporter James Francis Whitehead is based in England.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads