The threat of Northern Ireland-related terrorism in mainland Britain has been downgraded from “substantial” to “moderate”, meaning an attack is believed possible but unlikely, Home Secretary Theresa May said Wednesday.
But May said the threat of terrorism in Northern Ireland itself remained severe, meaning an attack within the British province is still considered highly likely.
“The decision to change this threat level is taken by the security service independently of ministers and is based on the very latest intelligence, considering factors such as capability, intent and timescale,” May said.
“Despite the change which has been made today, there remains a real and serious threat against the United Kingdom from terrorism.”
The threat level from international terrorism in Britain is “substantial”, meaning an attack is considered a strong possibility.
Some 3,500 people died in three decades of sectarian violence between Northern Irish Protestants favouring continued union with Britain, and Catholics seeking a unified Ireland.
A 1998 peace agreement largely ended the conflict, but sporadic unrest and bomb threats from radicals continue.
Nigel Dodds, from Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, warned that the threat downgrade “may be both premature and somewhat counter-productive”.
Speaking in the London parliament, he urged Britain’s Northern Ireland minister Theresa Villiers to give assurance that “there won’t be any reduction in security or any complacency on the part of the security forces”.
Villiers replied: “In both Great Britain and Northern Ireland the government is focused on defeating terrorism, and we will use all means at our disposal to do that.”
Northern Ireland terror threat downgraded
