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Woolwich murder: Lee Rigby's death 'not preventable' | Woolwich murder: Lee Rigby's death 'not preventable' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby could not have been prevented despite his killers appearing in seven intelligence investigations, a report has found. | The murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby could not have been prevented despite his killers appearing in seven intelligence investigations, a report has found. |
It found errors in security operations but said they were not "significant enough to have made a difference". | It found errors in security operations but said they were not "significant enough to have made a difference". |
The parliamentary inquiry highlighted one online exchange the agencies did not have access to that MPs said might have enabled them to stop the attack. | The parliamentary inquiry highlighted one online exchange the agencies did not have access to that MPs said might have enabled them to stop the attack. |
Fusilier Rigby was killed near Woolwich Barracks in London on 22 May 2013. | Fusilier Rigby was killed near Woolwich Barracks in London on 22 May 2013. |
Michael Adebolajo, and Michael Adebowale drove into the 25-year-old before hacking him to death. | |
PM David Cameron said the Intelligence and Security Committee report had raised "significant areas of concern". | PM David Cameron said the Intelligence and Security Committee report had raised "significant areas of concern". |
The committee spent 18 months examining the actions of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) regarding the two men and produced the most detailed report it has ever published. | |
Among its findings: | Among its findings: |
The report's conclusion was "given what the agencies knew at the time, they were not in a position to prevent the murder of Fusilier Rigby". | The report's conclusion was "given what the agencies knew at the time, they were not in a position to prevent the murder of Fusilier Rigby". |
'Safe haven' | 'Safe haven' |
However, the committee flagged up an online exchange between Adebowale and an overseas extremist, which only came to light after the attack. | However, the committee flagged up an online exchange between Adebowale and an overseas extremist, which only came to light after the attack. |
In the exchange from December 2012, Adebowale expresses his intent to murder a soldier in a "graphic and emotive" manner. | In the exchange from December 2012, Adebowale expresses his intent to murder a soldier in a "graphic and emotive" manner. |
Committee chairman Sir Malcolm Rifkind said: "This was highly significant. Had MI5 had access to this exchange at the time, Adebowale would have become a top priority. | Committee chairman Sir Malcolm Rifkind said: "This was highly significant. Had MI5 had access to this exchange at the time, Adebowale would have become a top priority. |
"There is then a significant possibility that MI5 would have been able to prevent the attack." | "There is then a significant possibility that MI5 would have been able to prevent the attack." |
Analysis | Analysis |
By Gordon Corera, BBC security correspondent | By Gordon Corera, BBC security correspondent |
This remarkably detailed report finds fault with all three British intelligence agencies. | This remarkably detailed report finds fault with all three British intelligence agencies. |
Each made mistakes. Investigations were not prioritised, reports not passed on. | Each made mistakes. Investigations were not prioritised, reports not passed on. |
And yet the conclusion argues that even with these in mind the attack could not have been stopped. | And yet the conclusion argues that even with these in mind the attack could not have been stopped. |
The committee denies that it was generous in its conclusions. | The committee denies that it was generous in its conclusions. |
The signs are though that this report may be used as part of the government's push to gain more access to communications since it argues the strongest evidence came from a US internet company that did not pass on a crucial online exchange. | The signs are though that this report may be used as part of the government's push to gain more access to communications since it argues the strongest evidence came from a US internet company that did not pass on a crucial online exchange. |
The report did not lay the blame at the door of the agencies but the "company on whose system the exchange took place". | The report did not lay the blame at the door of the agencies but the "company on whose system the exchange took place". |
"This company does not regard themselves as under any obligation to ensure that they identify such threats, or to report them to the authorities," he said. | "This company does not regard themselves as under any obligation to ensure that they identify such threats, or to report them to the authorities," he said. |
"We find this unacceptable: however unintentionally, they are providing a safe haven for terrorists. " | "We find this unacceptable: however unintentionally, they are providing a safe haven for terrorists. " |
The internet company was not named in the report. | The internet company was not named in the report. |
Sir Malcolm said even if the agencies had sought access - under a warrant - before the attack, the US company might not have responded. | Sir Malcolm said even if the agencies had sought access - under a warrant - before the attack, the US company might not have responded. |
"None of the major US companies we approached proactively monitor and review suspicious content on their systems, largely relying on users to notify them of offensive or suspicious content. | "None of the major US companies we approached proactively monitor and review suspicious content on their systems, largely relying on users to notify them of offensive or suspicious content. |
"We also found that none of them regard themselves as compelled to comply with UK warrants obtained under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. | "We also found that none of them regard themselves as compelled to comply with UK warrants obtained under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. |
"This is of very serious concern: the capability of the agencies to access the communications of their targets is essential to their ability to detect and prevent terrorist threats in the UK." | "This is of very serious concern: the capability of the agencies to access the communications of their targets is essential to their ability to detect and prevent terrorist threats in the UK." |
'Murder and mayhem' | |
The prime minister had asked the Intelligence and Security Committee to carry out the investigation following Fusilier Rigby's death. | The prime minister had asked the Intelligence and Security Committee to carry out the investigation following Fusilier Rigby's death. |
Responding to the report in the Commons, he announced £130m in funding to improve the agencies' capability to combat "self-starting" terrorists - also known as lone wolf attackers. | Responding to the report in the Commons, he announced £130m in funding to improve the agencies' capability to combat "self-starting" terrorists - also known as lone wolf attackers. |
He also said internet firms had a "social responsibility" to prevent their networks being used to "plot murder and mayhem". | |
The committee's findings have been published the day after a warning by the Home Secretary Theresa May about the level of terrorist threat the country faces, and a day before new counter-terrorism powers are published. | |
Adebolajo was sentenced in February to a whole-life term and Adebowale was jailed for a minimum of 45 years for the killing. They were 29 and 22 years old respectively when sentenced. | Adebolajo was sentenced in February to a whole-life term and Adebowale was jailed for a minimum of 45 years for the killing. They were 29 and 22 years old respectively when sentenced. |