By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
The suspected terror plot foiled next to RAF Fairford has sparked concerns the “impact of wider political decisions” made in the USA are now “coming home to roost here in an alarming way”.
Five men were arrested in Whelford in the early hours of Sunday (September 27) on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences after a local farmer alerted the authorities that three suspicious vehicles were seen heading towards the base.
A major incident was declared after the suspected bomb plot was foiled and 85 nearby households were evacuated.
The “very worrying” situation has sparked concerns over how decisions taken elsewhere in the world may now be having an impact in Gloucestershire.
Councillor Paul Hodgkinson (LD, Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach), who is the fire and rescue cabinet member at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “When I woke up yesterday morning to find messages from, amongst others, the chief fire officer telling me what was happening, it was very alarming.
“We are now feeling the impact of wider political decisions that were made in the USA, these things are now coming home to roost here in an alarming way.
“The USA and President Trump have launched an illegal war in the Middle East.
“Our Government initially said that they weren’t going to be part of that, but then Keir Starmer changed his view and allowed US aircraft to refuel and to use Fairford air base.
“That is not something I agree with, and I don’t think we should play any part at all in this war, which, let’s face it, has been completely disastrous on so many fronts.
“Lots of people have lost their lives and lots of people injured.
“It’s caused petrol prices to go through the roof. I can’t see any positives in what’s going on in Iran at all.
“Having said all that, we’re now sadly seeing the impact of that on our locality, and I think it’s really incumbent on the Government to beef up the security around the air base substantially to protect local people and to give them more reassurance.”
Cllr Hodgkinson commended the response from the emergency services including Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue who were on site from the early hours of Sunday morning taking part in the evacuation.
South Cotswolds MP Roz Savage said she has been raising security concerns with the Government since the US Air Force first began using the base for operations in Iran.
She said the foiled suspected terrorist attack is the most serious incident the area has faced and residents are “rightly worried”.
The Liberal Democrat thanked emergency services for their response and the farmer who spotted and reported her suspicions as her “bravery may have prevented something extremely serious”.
“The people of Whelford, Fairford and others in my constituency are rightly worried, and I share their concerns,” she said.
“Although the 85 households have not yet been allowed to return to their homes, I hope that they can soon, and I am sure that those involved in the response will update residents throughout the day.
“Since March, when the US Air Force first began using the base in support of ‘defensive operations’ in Iran, I have been raising security concerns with the Government.
“Local residents have had a difficult summer of noise disruption, congestion and the smell of fuel.
“This is the most serious incident the area has faced, and I will continue to liaise with the base and the Government to ensure that the safety of local residents is paramount and to ask serious questions about how we got here.”
Conservative County Councillor Dom Morris (Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thames) said the community is in “shock” but that they are a “resilient bunch”.
He says he stands by “our American brothers and sisters” who he believes the attack was aimed at.
“A big day for our community. Many were evacuated; some remain unable to get home, farm animals remain unfed,” he said.
“We are in shock. But we are a resilient bunch.
“We have lived side by side with our American brothers and sisters for decades. And we must remember that this attack was aimed at them.
“I for one stand by them and their service. So I too hope Fairford, Whelford and Kempsford do.
“We will keep buggering on. Schools are open, our local pubs were busy keeping up morale last night. But nationally there are big choices to be made.
“British foreign policy appears half pregnant. Whilst the Prime Minister talks big on defence our spending is too small to go it alone on the international stage.
“This say-do gap has emerged at the same time as we have distanced ourselves from the US, our greatest ally – at a time when alliances are crucial.
“Meanwhile we are not giving our men and women in uniform what they need to defend us in this new era of great power competition. That puts us all at risk.
“In the meantime lets all look after each other like the local farmer who stepped up overnight on Saturday – for that I will be putting some drinks behind the bar!”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said yesterday (September 27) that the incident near RAF Fairford “will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country”
He thanked the emergency and security services and said the Government will “always take every step necessary to protect our communities and keep our country safe”.