Trump, Rubio question UK decision to bail RAF Fairford suspects

US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have questioned Britain’s decision to release on bail five men arrested near RAF Fairford, as counter-terrorism police investigate whether individuals acting for a foreign state were involved in the incident.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have questioned Britain’s decision to release on bail five men arrested near RAF Fairford, as counter-terrorism police investigate whether individuals acting for a foreign state were involved in the incident.

The five men were arrested on Sunday in Whelford, near the US-used airbase in Gloucestershire, on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. British counter-terrorism police said Monday that they remained under investigation despite being released on police bail with stringent conditions.

Rubio described the incident as “a very serious situation” and said he believed it “clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor” in an interview with Fox News. He did not identify the alleged foreign actor or provide evidence publicly.

Trump also expressed surprise that the men had been released on bail, telling reporters at the White House on Monday: “I would have said, ‘Don’t let them have bail.’ I’m surprised that they released them. I wouldn’t have done that.”

British police said they were keeping an open mind and considering “every possible angle”, including whether the activity involved proxies or individuals knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state.

Police said the men had been travelling in three vehicles when officers responded to a report of suspicious vehicles near RAF Fairford. The vehicles were examined with the help of military and forensic experts.

The incident began early Sunday after police received a report of three suspicious vehicles travelling towards the airbase. Armed officers arrested the five men and a cordon was established around the vehicles, while about 85 households were evacuated as a precaution.

RAF Fairford is used by the US Air Force and has served as a base for US military operations in the Middle East, including operations involving Iran.

The investigation remains ongoing, and police have urged the public not to speculate while they establish the circumstances of the incident.