UK threat level remains severe, May confirms

In the wake of the attacks in Brussels, Home Secretary Theresa May has confirmed that the UK threat level remains severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. Speaking in the House of Commons, May condemned the ‘cold blooded’ attacks that left 34 dead and over 200 injured and expressed concern for British man David Dixon who is still missing after the explosions at Brussels airport and Maalbeek station. She said that the government has taken ‘precautionary steps’ to increase border controls, with an increased presence at ports, airports and transport hubs, but claimed that these steps were not in response to specific intelligence. She added that UK forces have ‘disputed seven terrorist plots to attack the UK’ over the past 18 months that were linked to ISIL and said that new powers to seize passports introduced in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act had been used more than 20 times. She explained: “Last year the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act provided new powers to deal specifically with the problem of foreign fighters and prevent radicalisation. “We extended our ability to refuse airlines the authority to carry people to the UK who pose a risk, and we introduced a new power to temporarily seize the passport of those suspected of travelling to engage in terrorism. “This power has now been used on more than 20 occasions and in some cases has led to longer-term disruptive action, such as the use of the royal prerogative to permanently cancel the British passport.” May concluded her speech in a defiant tone, expressing solidarity with the people of Belgium. She said: "Each time they attack they mean to divide us and each time they fail. People of all nations are standing in solidarity with the people of Belgium. Together we will defeat them. This is the challenge of our generation and it is a challenge we will win.”