Security threat

52 people died in suicide attacks on London last year

Friday, 10, Nov 2006 12:00

Over 1,600 people are being investigated for connections to terrorism and around 200 British based "networks" are being watched, the security services have warned.

In a rare public address, MI5's director general Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller told academics around 30 attacks – many linked to al-Qaida – were being planned for Britain.

Dame Eliza said young men were being radicalised – partly by what they perceive as anti-Muslim UK foreign policy – at an alarming speed. Tony Blair has repeatedly denied such a link.

She also raised concerns over the use of chemical weapons, saying there were limits to what the security services could do despite having nearly doubled to include 2,800 staff since 9/11.

A UK man was recently jailed for planning a series of attacks, and Dame Eliza said five conspiracies had been thwarted since 7/7.

The Tories have called for the government to take a firm approach, and Muslim groups have said British Muslims should work to halt the threat.

politics.co.uk brings you key quotes and reaction.