Sunak calls emergency Cobra meeting to address ‘accelerating’ terror threat in UK amid Israel-Hamas conflict

30 October 2023, 12:18 | Updated: 30 October 2023, 12:20

Rishi Sunak is set to address the terror threat level in the UK.
Rishi Sunak is set to address the terror threat level in the UK. Picture: Alamy

By Jenny Medlicott

Rishi Sunak is to hold an emergency Cobra meeting today amid fears of an “accelerated” terror threat in the UK.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Prime Minister will meet with police, national security officers and Home Secretary Suella Braverman on Monday to ensure Brits are “safe and secure from the threat of terrorism”, Whitehall sources said.

It comes amid fears that the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel could increase the terror threat in the UK.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley warned on Sunday that terrorism is being "accelerated" by events in the Middle East, as he raised concerns about "state threats from Iran".

“This is a particularly challenging time – an overlay of threats. When you’ve got state threats from Iran, you’ve got terrorism being accelerated by the events, and hate crime in communities,” he told Sky News.

The terror threat level in England, Wales and Scotland currently sits at “substantial”, which means an attack is likely.

However, Education Minister Robert Halfon refused to say whether the threat level might be raised.

The threat level was last dropped from “severe” in February, meaning an attack is highly likely, and has stayed the same since.

It coincides with fears about instances of anti-Semitism increasing in the UK.

Read more: 'Europe is the next stop' Jerusalem Deputy Mayor warns of rising anti-Semitism as Muslim crowd storms Dagestan airport

Read more: Hamas blocks exit of foreign nationals, US says, as Israel insists rescuing hostages 'top priority' in ground operation

The Prime Minister will hold an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday.
The Prime Minister will hold an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday. Picture: Getty

The Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem told LBC’s Nick Ferrari at Breakfast on Monday that Europe is the “next stop” for anti-Semitism after an ‘anti-Israeli mob’ stormed Dagestan airport on the weekend.

“Unfortunately we’re seeing this now develop in all the major capital cities and what you have to ask yourself is: who are the police protecting?” she said.

“We’re the first stop on the tour of global Jihad.

"Europe is the next stop and I think the UK has a big problem on its hands”.

While Mr Halfon told LBC it is a "fearful time" for British Jews as tensions have risen since the attack in Israel.

He said there are "ever-increasing incidents of antisemitism on campus".

Thousands of protesters attended a pro-Palestine march in London on the weekend, which saw nine people arrested - some which are being treated as suspected hate crimes.

Watch Again: Nick Ferrari is joined by skills minister Robert Halfon | 30/10/23

Meanwhile Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is today in Abu Dhabi to discuss getting humanitarian aid into Gaza and helping civilians - including British nationals - leave.

It comes after Mr Sunak said last week that around 200 British citizens in Gaza had been in touch with the Foreign Office to ask for help, since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7.

He said the Government would do “everything we can to get our nationals out” as they remain “very keen” to help evacuate Brits trapped in Gaza.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Police have released new CCTV of Harshita Brella and her husband

Chilling CCTV released of Harshita Brella and prime murder suspect husband on night she was killed

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark triumphant finale

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark show's triumphant finale

King Charles performs a Hongi, a traditional Maori greeting, with Mere Takoko

King Charles shares traditional Maori nose rub greeting with activist as he launches environmental charity

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

Putin issues chilling warning to UK and US as he confirms Russia hit Ukraine with new 'experimental' ballistic missile

Telegraph writer Allison Pearson.

Police drop investigation into journalist Allison Pearson over tweet - as review to be launched over handling of case

Exclusive
Angela Rayner has paid tribute to John Prescott

Angela Rayner says John Prescott 'used to call her after PMQs to remind her to stay true to who she is'

Four men have been arrested accused of attempting to rob a mobile phone store

Undercover police arrest four men after EE shop raided by masked gang

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Its Sixth Test Flight Of Starship Spacecraft

Elon Musk pledges to fire civil servants who work from home

Seven-month-old baby mauled to death by family dog after leaning on animal while crawling, inquest hears

Seven-month-old baby mauled to death by family dog sustained 'catastrophic' injuries after leaning on pet, inquest hears

Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Starmer backs International Criminal Court after it issues arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu

Five men charged over smuggling of migrants from UK to France in lorries

Five men charged over smuggling of migrants from UK to France in lorries following dawn raids

Rhiannon Skye Whyte was stabbed to death in Walsall

South Sudanese teen accused of murdering asylum seeker hotel worker with screwdriver 'refuses to appear in court'

Will Guyatt questions who is responsible for the safety of children online

Are Zuckerberg and Musk responsible for looking after my kids online?

Simone White has died following a poisoning with alcoholic drinks at a bar in Loas

British lawyer, 28, dies following suspected mass methanol poisoning at bar in Laos

Russia has claimed that Britain is directly involved in the war in Ukraine

Britain now 'directly involved in war in Ukraine', Russian ambassador to UK says