Latest news with #terrorplot
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Arrest warrants considered as Minns staffers skip explosives inquiry
The threat of arrest now hangs over five of NSW Premier Chris Minns' top advisers after they refused to front a parliamentary inquiry investigating a suspected terror plot. The five senior ministerial staffers failed to appear before a NSW parliamentary inquiry this morning, prompting the chair of the committee to flag 'further action' in what is fast becoming a major constitutional standoff over executive accountability. The Legislative Council inquiry, chaired by independent MLC Rod Roberts, commenced at 10.45am on Friday but was forced to adjourn for 30 minutes after none of the five summoned witnesses, senior advisers to Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley, arrived. The hearing was ultimately abandoned without a vote, after Chair Roberts formally acknowledged the no-show and delivered a lengthy statement criticising the government's ongoing resistance to the inquiry. 'I am disappointed in the government's continued efforts to hinder and frustrate the work of this committee, and ultimately, the role of the Legislative Council to scrutinise the actions of government,' Mr Roberts said. 'The committee will now consider further action in relation to these witnesses under section 7 through 9 of the Parliamentary Evidence Act 1901.' Those summoned included Mr Minns' chief of staff, James Cullen; two senior advisers from the Premier's office, Edward Ovadia and Sarah Michael; and two staffers from Minister Catley's office, Dr Tilly South and Ross Neilson. Their appearance was meant to shed light on who in government knew what, and when, regarding the discovery of an explosives-laden caravan in Sydney's northwest in January. The Premier had previously described the incident as a potential 'mass casualty event'. Although the Australian Federal Police later determined it was part of a criminal conspiracy. The circumstances surrounding the government's response, and whether MPs passed sweeping anti-hate laws in February based on incomplete information, remain under intense scrutiny. A letter sent to the committee chair on Thursday and signed by the five staffers outlined their refusal to appear. They argued that attending would breach 'the principles of ministerial accountability and comity between the Houses of Parliament,' particularly while a separate privileges inquiry by the Legislative Assembly is ongoing. The group also took aim at Mr Roberts' earlier media comments, writing: 'Given your comments on breakfast radio yesterday as to the motivation for issuing the summonses, – which make it clear we are 'proxies' because our respective Ministers cannot be compelled as witnesses to the Select Committee – we also consider that they have not been properly issued,' the letter read. 'In light of the above, we invite you not to press for our attendance at the hearing tomorrow.' Mr Roberts rejected those arguments in his closing statement, asserting the inquiry is properly constituted and that ministerial staff are not exempt from appearing. 'The inquiry seeks to examine the actions of the executive, not members of the Legislative Assembly,' he said. 'The committee is not seeking to sanction ministerial staff for their actions, only to shed lights on the events in the lead-up to the passage of the hate speech and protest laws through parliament. 'The power of committees to summon witnesses and compel them to attend and give evidence is in black and white in the Parliamentary Evidence Act. It is not in doubt.' Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has previously condemned the inquiry as 'an incursion upon the privilege' of the Legislative Assembly. 'It expressly seeks to scrutinise the discourse of the House, the conduct of its members, be it backbencher or a member of the executive government, while undertaking the primary function entrusted upon them by their constituents which is to legislate,' Mr Hoenig said during Question Time in May. He argued the Legislative Council had overstepped its bounds by summoning ministerial staff and attempting to examine lower house proceedings. Despite the controversy, the Legislative Assembly passed a motion 47 to 27 to refer the inquiry's terms to the Standing Committee on Parliamentary Privilege and Ethics. In response, Mr Roberts amended the inquiry's terms to narrow its focus to the passage of relevant bills through the upper house. Mr Hoenig, however, insisted the changes 'did not go far enough'. Opposition MP Alister Henskens said the amendments were sufficient to avoid breaching privilege and labelled the referral motion 'a transparent attempt to frustrate and delay the upper house inquiry'. Greens MP Jenny Leong said it was 'critical' that the Legislative Council was not prevented from doing its work, warning that any 'unreasonable delay' would raise concerns about the Premier and executive trying to 'subvert' the inquiry. Speaker Greg Piper defended the committee's progression, saying the changes were not intended to obstruct but instead 'an opportunity to actually examine the issue, the rights and privilege, the exclusive cognisance of the Legislative Assembly'. The committee has previously heard from senior police officials, including NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and Deputy Commissioner David Hudson. With Friday's hearing abandoned and potential legal action looming, the inquiry is now at a crossroads.
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Police foil terror plot on King's Guards: 'Lone wolf' stopped from carrying out attack on Britain's streets
Police have foiled a terror plot on the King's guards after a 'lone actor' caused a 'huge security scare'. The 20-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and arson in Slough last week at the Salt Hill Activity Centre, near Windsor Castle. It comes as military personnel at a barracks close by were warned not to leave the grounds in uniform, with the alert remaining in place for two days. A source told The Sun: 'The suspect is feared to have been plotting an attack. 'Police informed bosses at the barracks and measures were taken immediately despite him already being in custody. 'It was a huge security scare. But it was in the interests of everyone's safety.' Thames Valley Police confirmed that while in custody on Sunday, the man was re-arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts. Counter terrorism Policing South East are now leading an investigation into the events which took place at Victoria Barracks - home to the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. Police have confirmed they are stepping up patrols to reassure the public of their safety.
Sky News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Israeli embassy in London 'was target of alleged terror plot'
The Israeli embassy in London was the target of an alleged terror plot that led to the arrest of five Iranian men on Saturday, it is understood. The suspects were detained following raids at locations across England after the alleged conspiracy to "target a single premises" was discovered, the Met Police said. At the time, the force did not confirm any details of the premises that were allegedly targeted. However, several media organisations said the plot involved the Israeli embassy in Kensington, west London, reports Sky News understands are accurate. It came as the Iranian government denied any involvement in the alleged terror attack plans. In a statement posted on X, Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said: "We are seeing stories in the media that Iranian nationals are allegedly involved in a supposed plot to target the Israeli embassy in London. "Iran in no uncertain terms categorically rejects any involvement in such actions and confirms that we have not been informed of any allegations via proper diplomatic channels. "Iran has urged the UK to engage so that we may assist any probe into credible allegations. Timing and lack of engagement suggest that something is amiss." 28:01 The Iranian foreign minister said there was a "history of third parties bent on derailing diplomacy and provoking escalation, resorting to desperate measures, including false flag operations". "Iran stands ready to engage to shed light on what has truly inspired, and we reiterate that UK authorities should afford our citizens due process," he added. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police counter terrorism command, said: "Any speculation around this investigation could have a negative impact as we work to keep the public safe from potential threats. "This is a fast-moving counter-terrorism investigation and there are significant operational reasons why we cannot provide further information at this time. "As soon as possible we will look to share further details and in the meantime we would ask the public to remain vigilant and contact us if you have any concerns."
Bloomberg
08-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Trump Expected to Announce Trade Deal With UK
By Good morning. Trump teases a 'major' trade deal—and it's expected to be with the UK. The Bank of England is forecast to cut interest rates today. And Israel's embassy in London was said to be the target of a terror plot. Listen to the day's top stories. Donald Trump is expected to unveil a trade agreement with the UK today, people familiar said. He teased the announcement in a social media post, saying he would hold an Oval Office news conference about a 'MAJOR TRADE DEAL.' The pound gained along with global stocks.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Investigations ongoing over alleged terror plot, says minister
Investigations ongoing over alleged terror plot, says minister 13 minutes ago Share Save André Rhoden-Paul BBC News Share Save BBC Armed police descended on suspects across the country on Saturday Searches are continuing at a number of addresses after five men were arrested on Saturday over an alleged terror plot in the UK. Home Office minister Dan Jarvis said hundreds of officers were carrying out forensic investigations and collecting evidence at different sites across the country during a Commons statement on Tuesday. The men, who are Iranian nationals, are suspected of plotting to target a specific premises, Jarvis told MPs - though said he could not disclose where. He described the arrests as "some of the largest counter-state threats and counter-terrorism actions that we have seen in recent times". He told the Commons: "What now follows is an incredibly complex set of investigations involving hundreds more officers carrying out forensic searches, collecting vital evidence across different sites across the country, and securing witness statements backed up by the continued efforts of our security and intelligence agencies. "This is careful, painstaking work." The arrests were carried out in west London, Swindon, Rochdale, Stockport and Manchester. Witnesses saw armed officers descend on some of the suspects and drag them away. Military personnel supported the raids, it is understood. Police have been granted extra time to question four of the men, while a fifth has been released on bail. While Jarvis said he could not disclose which site was allegedly being targeted, he added: "Police officers have been in contact with the affected site to make them aware and provide relevant security advice and support." The five arrests took place on the same day as three more Iranian men were arrested as part of a separate counter-terrorism investigation. All three are from London and were arrested under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023, which authorises police to detain those suspected of "foreign power threat activity". Jarvis told the Commons the trio are the first Iranians to be held under the 2023 law, and said carrying out both sets of raids on one day required "intensive" planning. 'Serious challenge from state threats' Last October, Sir Ken McCallum, director general of MI5, said there had been a sharp rise in state-linked threats to the UK - including 20 linked to Iran since January 2022 which had posed "potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents". Referencing those remarks, Jarvis told MPs he could not comment on the details of this week's cases or potential motivations, but said the operations came against a backdrop of "serious, growing and complex challenge from state threats". Last month, Jarvis said the Iranian state would be placed on an "enhanced tier" of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, which is expected to launch in July and will require any individuals working for the Iranian regime in the UK to register with authorities or face jail. Speaking on Tuesday, Jarvis added: "Let me be clear, anyone in the UK who works for the Iranian state must declare it or they will be committing a serious criminal offence."
