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UK terror threat now 'critical' UK terror threat now 'critical'
(about 1 hour later)
The UK's national terrorism threat has been raised to its highest level after an attack on Glasgow Airport was linked to two car bombs found in London. The UK has been placed on its highest level of terrorism alert after an attack on Glasgow Airport was linked to two car bombs found in London.
Two men were arrested after ramming a burning car into the airport's main terminal, a day after police thwarted two attempted bombings in the capital.Two men were arrested after ramming a burning car into the airport's main terminal, a day after police thwarted two attempted bombings in the capital.
Police said one of the men wore a "suspect device" and the incident was being treated as terror related.Police said one of the men wore a "suspect device" and the incident was being treated as terror related.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged the public to remain vigilant. Two more arrests were made in Cheshire in connection with recent incidents.
"I know the British people will stand together, united and resolute," he added. Anti-terror police from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command assisted by officers from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit made the arrests, Scotland Yard said.
'Clear similarities''Clear similarities'
Strathclyde Police told a news conference the attack on Glasgow Airport was now being linked to the car-bomb plot in London - foiled by police on Friday.Strathclyde Police told a news conference the attack on Glasgow Airport was now being linked to the car-bomb plot in London - foiled by police on Friday.
Chief Constable Willie Rae said: "There are clearly similarities, and we can confirm that this is being treated as a terrorist incident."
Two men were arrested at the scene at 1515 BST after the blazing car was driven into the airport's main terminal.
Mr Brown thanked the emergency services for their professionalism Airport attack was terrorism Your pictures: Glasgow alertMr Brown thanked the emergency services for their professionalism Airport attack was terrorism Your pictures: Glasgow alert
Chief Constable Willie Rae said: "There are clearly similarities, and we can confirm that this is being treated as a terrorist incident."
Two men were arrested at the scene at 1515 BST after the blazing Jeep Cherokee was driven into the airport's main terminal.
One of the suspects taken to the city's Royal Alexandra Hospital to be treated for severe burns was in possession of "a suspect device" which had been found on his person, Chief Constable Rae said.One of the suspects taken to the city's Royal Alexandra Hospital to be treated for severe burns was in possession of "a suspect device" which had been found on his person, Chief Constable Rae said.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the suspect device was thought to be a "suicide belt".BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the suspect device was thought to be a "suicide belt".
The second man was being detained in police custody while the vehicle was said to be too unstable to be removed from the airport.The second man was being detained in police custody while the vehicle was said to be too unstable to be removed from the airport.
Eyewitnesses described a Jeep Cherokee being driven at speed towards the main doors of Glasgow airport's terminal building with flames coming out from underneath shortly after 1500 BST. Investigation focus
All flights to and from Glasgow Airport have been suspended. BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the events at Glasgow Airport dramatically altered the direction of the London car bombs inquiry.
He said the fact that Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, who is leading the London investigation, travelled to Scotland suggests the two attempted attacks could have been carried out by the same individuals or by members of the same cell.
And the decision to raise the threat level to "critical" - which means an attack is imminent - reflected concern that those responsible have the capability and intent to carry out further bombings.
All flights to and from Glasgow Airport were suspended on Saturday.
A number of other airports have stepped up security, including Edinburgh, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester and Blackpool. John Lennon Airport in Liverpool has been closed as a precaution.A number of other airports have stepped up security, including Edinburgh, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester and Blackpool. John Lennon Airport in Liverpool has been closed as a precaution.
TERROR THREAT LEVELS Low - an attack is unlikelyModerate - an attack is possible but not likelySubstantial - strong possibility of an attackSevere - an attack is highly likelyCritical - an attack is expected imminently
Security has also been tightened at airports across the US following the attempted attacks.Security has also been tightened at airports across the US following the attempted attacks.
The national terrorism threat level was raised after a meeting of the government emergencies committee, Cobra.The national terrorism threat level was raised after a meeting of the government emergencies committee, Cobra.
Ministers, police and security service officials held their third meeting of Cobra in recent days on Saturday evening, this time with a video link to ministers in Scotland.Ministers, police and security service officials held their third meeting of Cobra in recent days on Saturday evening, this time with a video link to ministers in Scotland.
TERROR THREAT LEVELS Low - an attack is unlikelyModerate - an attack is possible but not likelySubstantial - strong possibility of an attackSevere - an attack is highly likelyCritical - an attack is expected imminently Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged the public to remain vigilant.
"I know the British people will stand together, united and resolute," he said.
In a televised statement, Mr Brown thanked the police, the security and emergency services for the "dedicated professionalism" that has been shown in London and Glasgow Airport.In a televised statement, Mr Brown thanked the police, the security and emergency services for the "dedicated professionalism" that has been shown in London and Glasgow Airport.
"The first duty of the government is the security and safety of all the British people, so it is right to raise the level of security at airports and in crowded places in the light of the heightened threat," he said."The first duty of the government is the security and safety of all the British people, so it is right to raise the level of security at airports and in crowded places in the light of the heightened threat," he said.
The critical threat level indicates terrorist attacks are imminent. It is the highest possible level and was also in place after the 7 July 2005 suicide bomb attacks on London.The critical threat level indicates terrorist attacks are imminent. It is the highest possible level and was also in place after the 7 July 2005 suicide bomb attacks on London.
Petrol and gasPetrol and gas
A Scottish government spokesperson said Scottish Ministers were in touch with their Whitehall opposite numbers and First Minister Alex Salmond and have spoken to Mr Brown.A Scottish government spokesperson said Scottish Ministers were in touch with their Whitehall opposite numbers and First Minister Alex Salmond and have spoken to Mr Brown.
Mr Salmond and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill took part in the Cobra meeting.Mr Salmond and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill took part in the Cobra meeting.
Mr Salmond echoed the prime minister's calls for vigilance.Mr Salmond echoed the prime minister's calls for vigilance.
"We cannot and must not live our lives in a state of alarm but alert individuals have a substantial role to play in supporting our police services," he added."We cannot and must not live our lives in a state of alarm but alert individuals have a substantial role to play in supporting our police services," he added.
Flights from Glasgow airport were suspended after the crashFlights from Glasgow airport were suspended after the crash
Earlier in the day, Cobra met to discuss the London car bomb attempts.Earlier in the day, Cobra met to discuss the London car bomb attempts.
In the early hours of Friday, two Mercedes containing petrol, gas cylinders and nails were found left outside the Tiger Tiger club in Haymarket and a nearby street but the devices did not detonate.In the early hours of Friday, two Mercedes containing petrol, gas cylinders and nails were found left outside the Tiger Tiger club in Haymarket and a nearby street but the devices did not detonate.
Police in the capital are checking CCTV footage in their investigation into the planting of the two car bombs.Police in the capital are checking CCTV footage in their investigation into the planting of the two car bombs.
Unconfirmed reports suggest police may have an image of a suspect leaving the vehicle left outside the Tiger Tiger club.Unconfirmed reports suggest police may have an image of a suspect leaving the vehicle left outside the Tiger Tiger club.
Police increased patrols and security for events in London over the weekend, including the Gay Pride parade, the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium and the Wimbledon tennis championships.Police increased patrols and security for events in London over the weekend, including the Gay Pride parade, the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium and the Wimbledon tennis championships.
Police have urged anyone with information to phone the confidential Anti-Terrorist hotline number on 0800789321.Police have urged anyone with information to phone the confidential Anti-Terrorist hotline number on 0800789321.