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This Is Why · Monday · 16 min

Why the RAF Fairford 'plot' doesn’t add up

Who are you more likely to believe, Donald Trump or a farmer from the Cotswolds? Five UK nationals have been arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after a major incident was declared at an RAF airbase in Gloucestershire over the weekend. But they were later released on bail, as counter-terror police remain “open-minded” about whether the incident is linked to a foreign state such as Iran. So, why did the US president claim the group had been “under investigation” for a long time – while a local resident insists she was the one who alerted the police after spotting a group of masked men? What do we know about this investigation? And what does it tell us about how the UK is being targeted by proxies? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s home affairs editor Jason Farrell. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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transcript

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show notes

Who are you more likely to believe, Donald Trump or a farmer from the Cotswolds?

Five UK nationals have been arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after a major incident was declared at an RAF airbase in Gloucestershire over the weekend.

But they were later released on bail, as counter-terror police remain “open-minded” about whether the incident is linked to a foreign state such as Iran.

So, why did the US president claim the group had been “under investigation” for a long time – while a local resident insists she was the one who alerted the police after spotting a group of masked men?

What do we know about this investigation? And what does it tell us about how the UK is being targeted by proxies?

Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s home affairs editor Jason Farrell.

Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk