CHRISTOPHER HOOTON
The suspects were arrested during raids by Scotland Yard’s Counter Terrorism Command at 5:45am this morning following a tip-off received overnight.
The 5 men are believed to be of various nationalities including Algerian and were working as street cleaners less than a mile from Hyde Park where the Pope is due to hold a prayer vigil tomorrow evening.
They have now been taken to a London police station where they will be interviewed by detectives and searched under the 2000 Terrorism Act. The suspects were working for Veolia Environmental Services who employ over 650 people to keep Westminster’s streets clean and tidy.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Following initial inquiries by detectives a decision was made to arrest the five men.”
We are satisfied that our current policing plan remains appropriate. The itinerary has not changed.” The Pope is expected to continue with his engagements, Vatican spokesman Fr Lombardi told reporters there was “no need to change anything about the programme with the Pope and the security for this trip”.
A multimillion-pound operation is in place to protect the Pope during his tour of the UK, who is also protected by members of the Swiss Guard
