Official UK government budget announcements

MI5 Chief Ken McCallum Warns of Rising Threats from Russia, Iran, and Terrorist Groups; 43 Plots Disrupted

Oct 8, 2024, 12:32 PM

The head of MI5, Ken McCallum, has issued a stark warning about the increasing threats facing the UK from various sources, including Russia, Iran, and terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. McCallum revealed that Russia's GRU is actively attempting to create chaos in the UK and Europe through arson, sabotage, and other criminal activities. Additionally, he highlighted that the UK has disrupted 43 late-stage terrorism plots since March 2017, including 20 Iran-backed potentially lethal plots since January 2022. The MI5 chief also noted a worrying trend of children becoming involved in terrorism, making up 13% of those investigated. McCallum emphasized that the UK is facing its most complex and interconnected threat landscape ever, with a dramatic increase in investigations into assassination, kidnap, and other plots orchestrated by state and non-state actors. He also mentioned the UK faces 'plot after plot' from Iran and an increased threat from 'Putin's henchmen'.