Counter Terrorism Police:
This morning two men have been charged under the National Security Act, following an extensive investigation into activity which took place near RAF Fairford on Sunday 27 September.
Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing in the UK, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, said:
“Earlier this morning, Nouman Essghir, 24, a British national from the Borough of Westminster, London, was charged under Section 4 of the National Security Act 2023, for suspected activity on Saturday 22 August. He was first arrested at the scene in Gloucestershire on Sunday 27 September, and re-arrested on 20 October.
“Essghir will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court this morning.
“A second man, a 25-year-old dual UK/Iranian national, re-arrested on the same date, has been released without charge. However, he remains on police bail following his first arrest on Thursday 1 October.
“Following the re-arrest of these individuals, detectives also interviewed a further man under caution.
“As a result, Mohammed Abdul Karim, a 24-year-old British national, from the Borough of Westminster, London, has been charged under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023, which makes it an offence to assist a foreign intelligence service.
“In this case, we believe that country to be Iran. Karim will appear at Westminster Magistrates today.
“The five other men arrested in connection with this investigation, remain on police bail.
“We have seen a range of incidents in recent months that we believe have been directed by the Iranian state, and as the Director General of Mi5 said just the other week, we are working together to intervene, identify and respond to that threat.
“The public can help us with this, and as always, I would urge them to report anything that they’re worried about – those reports can and do make a difference.”
Robert Jenrick told a rally on Monday:
“They say Chancellors are either undertakers or bookies. This one is an ostrich – and when the Chancellor buries his head in the sand, the rest of us, we’re left staring at his you know what.”