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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| MI5 downgrades dissident Irish republican GB threat | MI5 downgrades dissident Irish republican GB threat |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The threat level from dissident republicans to Great Britain has been downgraded from "substantial" to "moderate", the Home Office has said. | The threat level from dissident republicans to Great Britain has been downgraded from "substantial" to "moderate", the Home Office has said. |
| The decrease shows the authorities regard an attack on London and other British cities from such groups as possible, but not likely. | The decrease shows the authorities regard an attack on London and other British cities from such groups as possible, but not likely. |
| Previously it was deemed a strong possibility. | Previously it was deemed a strong possibility. |
| The threat-level in Northern Ireland has not changed. It remains "severe" with an attack still highly likely. | The threat-level in Northern Ireland has not changed. It remains "severe" with an attack still highly likely. |
| Home Secretary Theresa May said that the threat level to the UK from international terrorism remains at substantial, "which means that an attack is a strong possibility". The highest threat level is critical, two steps above the current warning. | Home Secretary Theresa May said that the threat level to the UK from international terrorism remains at substantial, "which means that an attack is a strong possibility". The highest threat level is critical, two steps above the current warning. |
| "The threat level to Northern Ireland from Northern Ireland-related terrorism remains at severe, meaning that an attack is highly likely. Neither of these two levels has changed," she said. | "The threat level to Northern Ireland from Northern Ireland-related terrorism remains at severe, meaning that an attack is highly likely. Neither of these two levels has changed," she said. |
| Dissident republicans remain armed, active and dangerous, but the chances of them spreading their terror across the Irish Sea have reduced. | |
| Yes, they remain a major threat in Northern Ireland but it seems their support and their capability is no longer rising. | |
| A bombing campaign in Great Britain - a key part of the Provisional IRA's strategy during 30 years of violence - seems beyond the dissidents, at present. | |
| The latest evidence of their limitations is the decision by the security services to downgrade the threat posed to Great Britain. | |
| Read more of Mark's anaylsis here | |
| "Despite the change which has been made today, there remains a real and serious threat against the United Kingdom from terrorism and I would ask the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police." | "Despite the change which has been made today, there remains a real and serious threat against the United Kingdom from terrorism and I would ask the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police." |
| In July, three different republican groups came together to try to form a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19014981" >"new IRA" - the Londonderry-based vigilante group Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD), the Real IRA and a group of unaligned dissidents, most of whom are seasoned ex-members of the Provisional IRA. | |
| Between them, the various dissident groups are believed to have, at most, 700 members. They use violence in their opposition to British involvement in Northern Ireland. | Between them, the various dissident groups are believed to have, at most, 700 members. They use violence in their opposition to British involvement in Northern Ireland. |
| Within the last three years they have killed two soldiers and a police officer and carried out a number of other attacks on the security forces. | Within the last three years they have killed two soldiers and a police officer and carried out a number of other attacks on the security forces. |
| So far this year dissident republicans have been behind 19 attacks. | So far this year dissident republicans have been behind 19 attacks. |
| The decision to lower the threat level was made by MI5, the Security Service. | The decision to lower the threat level was made by MI5, the Security Service. |
| On its website MI5 said: "The threat level for Northern Ireland-related terrorism is separate from that for international terrorism. It is also set separately for Northern Ireland and Great Britain." | On its website MI5 said: "The threat level for Northern Ireland-related terrorism is separate from that for international terrorism. It is also set separately for Northern Ireland and Great Britain." |
| It is understood that the decision was made after considering the balance between the aspiration of terror groups in Northern Ireland to mount an attack in Great Britain with their intent to do so. | It is understood that the decision was made after considering the balance between the aspiration of terror groups in Northern Ireland to mount an attack in Great Britain with their intent to do so. |