MI5 boss: Terrorism is quicker and harder to detect than ever

The UK is facing its most severe ever terrorist threat and new attacks are inevitable. That’s the view of MI5 director general Andrew Parker.

Addressing an audience in central London, the spy chief highlighted “a dramatic upshift in the threat” from terrorism adopting an Islamist banner and noted the complexity of the threat.

“That threat is multi-dimensional, evolving rapidly and operating at a scale and pace we’ve not seen before,” he said during a rare public speech.

“It’s at the highest tempo I have seen in my 34-year career. Today, there is more terrorist activity, coming at us more quickly, and it can be harder to detect.”

Although the effectiveness of the group has been brought into question following attacks in Westminster, Manchester and London Bridge, Mr Parker revealed that 20 similar plots had been thwarted in past four years.

He added that MI5 continues counter threats from terrorism in Northern Ireland and the actions of hostile states seeking to carry out damaging espionage activity.

On camera, Mr Parker said: “We face this new order of challenge from a position of strength. The UK has world-class intelligence agencies and counter terrorism policing. We are developing, growing and sharpening our capabilities all the time.

“When an attack happens we are determined, using the harsh light of hindsight, to squeeze out every last drop of learning so that we can be the very best we can be, now and in the future.

“We are committed to this for the long haul. Our unrelenting focus will remain on doing everything in our power every day to keep Britain safe.”

This marked the first time that an MI5 director general has given a speech on-camera. You can watch the full speech at mi5.gov.uk/news/director-general-andrew-parker-2017-speech.