‘Highly likely’ that Iran coordinated RAF Fairford incident – Burnhampublished at 15:51 BST
15:51 BST
Burnham turns to Russia’s “campaign of hybrid attacks and sabotage across Europe”, saying “we must be clear-eyed about attempts to destabilise our democracies”.
The PM says that he has agreed a new partnership with German Chancellor Merz to tackle Russia’s hybrid threats.
He then confirms the UK’s commitment to set up a new centre for information defence, following guidance from the UK’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
Referring to the incident at RAF Fairford, Burnham says an update from the home secretary is coming. The PM says it is “highly likely” the attack was coordinated “in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards”. He stresses that the UK will bring further sanctions to restrict Tehran’s capacity to harm Britain.
On the EU, Burnham says that after meetings with Ursula von der Leyen he can confirm a UK-EU summit will take place on 20 November in Brussels.
A major incident was declared at RAF Fairford after police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the airbase on 27 September. A 22-year-old British national has since been arrested on suspicion of preparing acts of terror.