British intelligence agencies have warned that all 650 MPs are at risk of an attack by Muslim radicals acting alone, according to a newspaper report.
The Metropolitan police is due to start a wide-raging review of the security of all 650 MPs after warning that “lone Muslim self-radicalisers” might target British politicians. I
ndividual politicians are now at risk of being singled out for a shooting or stabbing attack similar to that involving Theo Van Gogh, a Dutch filmmaker, in 2004, the Sunday Times said.
“This is the sort of tactic which we can expect to see more often. In terms of impact, it’s better to go for a public figure. But it’s a low-level tactic which is much more difficult to detect because there is no requirement for a cell to organise this. So the chances of being able to identify and interdict such an attack are very slim,” Richard Kemp, former chairman of Whitehall’s Cobra intelligence committee, was quoted as saying.
The last time British MPs were given specific security advice was when the anthrax scare hit the US after the September 11 attacks in 2001. “Prevention is always better than cure. Training and awareness of the threat for MPs would not go amiss,” Patrick Mercer, former chairman of the House of Commons counter-terrorism committee, said. There is also growing security concern in the Metropolitan police about Mr Cameron’s decision to travel without motorcycle outriders.
***
UK austerity Cabinet has 18 millionaires
London, May 23: As Britain’s new Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government prepares to wield the axe on public spending, a report on Sunday said four-fifth members of the Cabinet are millionaires. Eighteen of the 23 full-time Cabinet members have seven-figure fortunes, collectively worth about £50 million, the Sunday Times said.
Many of those with the biggest assets are little-known figures whose wealth is self-made. Prime Minister David Cameron is relative small fry: his £3.4 million estimated fortune puts him only in sixth place on the ministerial rich list. The coalition Cabinet is at least £15 million richer than its Labour predecessor.
—PTI