Russia is trying to create “mayhem” on the UK’s streets, the head of the MI5 has warned. In a speech, the director general of MI5, Ken McCallum, expressed concerns about the increased threat from “Putin’s henchmen” and plots from Iran. He also mentioned an alarming rise in children being investigated for terrorism in the UK. McCallum highlighted the re-emergence of Islamic terrorism, particularly from Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, posing a significant threat.
Over the past month, more than a third of MI5’s top priority investigations have been linked to organised overseas terrorist groups. The MI5 and police have successfully thwarted 43 “late-stage” terrorist plots since March 2017, with some plotters intending mass murder using firearms and explosives. The focus of MI5’s counter-terrorism efforts is mainly on Islamist threats, accounting for about 75%, while the remaining 25% is attributed to extreme right-wing threats.
In his speech, McCallum emphasized the multifaceted security challenges facing the UK, including resurgent terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and IS, as well as state-sponsored terrorism from countries like Iran and Russia. He revealed a 48% increase in state threat work over a year, with Iran being a prominent threat, along with Russia, using proxies to carry out malicious activities on British and European streets.
The expulsion of over 750 Russian diplomats, many of whom were spies, from Europe following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has not deterred Russian intelligence services in their mission to sow chaos and violence in the UK and Europe. McCallum warned potential criminals against collaborating with hostile states like Iran and Russia, stating that they would face severe consequences for engaging in illegal activities in the UK.
McCallum’s speech underscored the evolving threat landscape, with an increasing focus on state-backed threats and domestic extremism, particularly from the far-right. He noted a concerning trend of young people being radicalized, both by Islamist and extreme right-wing ideologies, facilitated by online platforms disseminating hate and misinformation.
The MI5 boss highlighted the critical role of online platforms in radicalizing individuals and emphasized the challenges of distinguishing between real plotters and armchair extremists. He also extended counter-sabotage support to businesses through the National Protective Security Authority, aiming to enhance protective security measures in the face of growing security threats.
Despite the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the UK has not experienced a significant impact on terrorism. McCallum acknowledged the potential risk of events in the Middle East triggering terrorist activities in the UK but reassured that there has been no substantial escalation into terrorist violence. The MI5 remains vigilant and committed to safeguarding the UK against various security threats, urging cooperation and vigilance from all sectors of society to combat terrorism effectively.
