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Terror level returned to 'severe' Terror level returned to 'severe'
(about 2 hours later)
The terror threat level to the UK has been downgraded to "severe" from "critical", Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has announced. The terror threat level to the UK has been downgraded from "critical" to "severe", Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has announced.
This comes after eight migrants with health service links were arrested over the London and Glasgow bomb attacks. MI5 and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) said an attack was no longer expected imminently.
MI5 and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) said an attack is no longer expected imminently. The move comes after eight migrants with NHS links were arrested over the London and Glasgow failed bomb attacks.
Earlier, more background checks on migrant workers were announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.Earlier, more background checks on migrant workers were announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The reduced threat level is likely to be a slight reduction in security procedures and controls. The threat level was reduced after the first phase of the investigation - rounding up suspects - drew to a close. It indicates that the manhunt is over, says BBC correspondent Daniel Sandford.
Ms Smith said in a statement that the JTAC made the decision based on "the very latest intelligence, considering factors such as capability, intent and timescale". The reduced level is likely to mean a slight reduction in security procedures and controls.
THREAT LEVELS Critical - an attack is expected imminentlySevere - an attack is highly likelySubstantial - an attack is a strong possibilityModerate - an attack is possible but not likelyLow - an attack is unlikely
  • Source: Home Office
  • THREAT LEVELS Critical - an attack is expected imminentlySevere - an attack is highly likelySubstantial - an attack is a strong possibilityModerate - an attack is possible but not likelyLow - an attack is unlikely
  • Source: Home Office
  • class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6260626.stm">Timeline: Failed bomb attacks class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6264230.stm">Who are the suspects?
    She said there was "no intelligence" to suggest another attack was imminent but she stressed that the review did not mean the overall threat had disappeared and urged the public to remain vigilant. Ms Smith said although there was no intelligence to suggest another attack was imminent, it did not mean the overall threat had disappeared, and she urged the public to remain vigilant.
    Background checks In his first question time as prime minister, Mr Brown ordered an urgent review of NHS recruitment. The suspects have links to the health service, with some working in hospitals as doctors.
    In his first question time as Prime Minister, Mr Brown ordered an urgent review of NHS recruitment. The suspects have links to the health service, some as doctors.
    Mr Brown said it was "vitally important that the message is sent out to the rest of the world that we will stand strong, steadfast and united in the face of terror".Mr Brown said it was "vitally important that the message is sent out to the rest of the world that we will stand strong, steadfast and united in the face of terror".
    The new terrorism minister Sir Alan West will carry out the review of NHS recruitment.The new terrorism minister Sir Alan West will carry out the review of NHS recruitment.
    Background checks
    Mr Brown said sponsors of skilled workers would be asked to provide background checks on them.Mr Brown said sponsors of skilled workers would be asked to provide background checks on them.
    Among other measures, he also said a watch list of potential suspects would be expanded to warn authorities across the world, and the admissibility of intercept evidence in court would be reviewed.Among other measures, he also said a watch list of potential suspects would be expanded to warn authorities across the world, and the admissibility of intercept evidence in court would be reviewed.
    New agreements will be signed with countries around the world to ensure a co-ordinated response to the terror threat.New agreements will be signed with countries around the world to ensure a co-ordinated response to the terror threat.
    Manhunt over
    On Saturday afternoon, a burning green Jeep Cherokee loaded with gas cylinders crashed into the doors of Glasgow airport.On Saturday afternoon, a burning green Jeep Cherokee loaded with gas cylinders crashed into the doors of Glasgow airport.
    The previous day two Mercedes containing petrol, gas cylinders and nails were found in central London.The previous day two Mercedes containing petrol, gas cylinders and nails were found in central London.
    The threat level was reduced after the first phase of the investigation, rounding up suspects, drew to a close. ARRESTS TIMELINE 30 June Dr Kafeel Ahmed and Dr Bilal Abdulla arrested at Glasgow airport after burning car driven into doors of main terminal30 June Dr Mohammed Asha, 26, and his wife Dana Asha, 27, arrested on the M6 near Sandbach, Cheshire30 June/1 July Dr Sabeel Ahmed (brother of Kafeel), 26, arrested near Liverpool's Lime Street station1 July A 28-year-old man and a 25-year-old man, thought to be medical students or doctors from Saudi Arabia, arrested in Paisley2 July Dr Mohammed Haneef, 27, detained in Australia, and a second doctor is questioned3 July Second doctor questioned in Australia is released without charge class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6686&edition=1">Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6267656.stm">Brown and Cameron clash class="" href="/1/hi/england/merseyside/6271302.stm">Extremists 'hounded out'
    BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford said it indicated that the manhunt was over.
    ARRESTS TIMELINE 30 June Dr Khalid Ahmed and Dr Bilal Abdulla arrested at Glasgow airport after burning car driven into doors of main terminal30 June Dr Mohammed Asha, 26, and his wife Dana Asha, 27, arrested on the M6 near Sandbach, Cheshire30 June/1 July Dr Sabeel Ahmed, 26, arrested near Liverpool's Lime Street station1 July A 28-year-old man and a 25-year-old man, thought to be medical students or doctors from Saudi Arabia, arrested in Paisley2 July Dr Mohammed Haneef, 27, detained in Australia, and a second doctor is questioned3 July Second doctor questioned in Australia is released without charge Timeline: Failed bomb attacks Send us your comments Brown and Cameron clash
    Investigators are instead focusing on analysing evidence and interviewing suspects.
    Seven of those arrested are believed to be doctors or medical students and one used to work as a laboratory technician.Seven of those arrested are believed to be doctors or medical students and one used to work as a laboratory technician.
    Six are being questioned at London's Paddington Green police station.Six are being questioned at London's Paddington Green police station.
    A seventh, Dr Kafeel Ahmed remains in hospital after the Glasgow attack, and an eighth, Dr Mohammed Haneef, is still being questioned in Australia after his arrest at Brisbane Airport. The seventh remains in hospital after the Glasgow attack, and the eighth is still being questioned in Australia after his arrest at Brisbane Airport.
    Gas canisters Meanwhile, Calor is writing to its 10,000 local retailers to remind them of its policy on the way it sells its gas, after reports that its canisters were used in the attacks.
    Meanwhile, Calor is writing to its 10,000 local retailers to remind them of its policy on the way it sells its gas, after becoming aware of reports that its canisters were used in the London and Glasgow attacks.
    New customers must fill in a form which asks for their name, address and other personal details when they get their first Calor gas canister.New customers must fill in a form which asks for their name, address and other personal details when they get their first Calor gas canister.
    Copies of those forms are kept by both Calor and the retailer and customers can then get their canisters refilled without giving out further details.
    Calor's corporate affairs manager told the BBC said it was asking retailers to "follow this policy to the letter" as well as asking for identification of anyone suspicious and contacting the police if necessary.
    'Kicking and punching''Kicking and punching'
    A man who grappled with one of the suspects after he saw the attack unfold while he was packing luggage into the family's car at Glasgow airport has told the BBC he was "just doing my duty".. A man who grappled with one of the suspects after he saw the attack at Glasgow airport has described how his leg was broken in two places in the tussle.
    "One of the guys got out of the car and went for the police officer. I just ran over to help the police officer," said Michael Kerr.. "One of the guys got out of the car and went for the police officer. I just ran over to help the police officer," said 40-year-old heating engineer Michael Kerr.
    "I tried my best to get the guy. I tried punching and kicking him but punching him I fell back and broke my leg.""I tried my best to get the guy. I tried punching and kicking him but punching him I fell back and broke my leg."
    Mr Kerr, who lost several teeth and broke his leg in two places, told the BBC that he was no hero. Mr Kerr, who also lost several teeth, told the BBC that he was no hero but just doing his duty.