Police were investigating a suspected threat against the UK Ijtima event held in Suffolk in July.
Reform UK has issued a scathing verdict of Shabana Mahmood (Image: Getty)
Reform UK has called for home secretary Shabana Mahmood to resign after police found “no evidence” of a planned attack on an Islamic event. Zia Yusuf, the shadow home secretary for Reform UK, claimed Ms Mahmood had “misled Parliament” in a scathing rant on X.
It came after Ms Mahmood said police arrests undoubtedly saved lives following an investigation into an alleged extreme right-wing threat to an Islamic event in Suffolk. After several arrests, police subsequently said “we have found no evidence to support anyone being charged with any offences linked to the alleged threat.”
Zia Yusuf called for Shabana Mahmood’s resignation (Image: Getty)
In a rant on X, Mr Yusuf alleged: “She falsely claimed there was an attempted terror attack on an Islamic event and police arrests ‘undoubtedly saved lives’.
“Now the police say they ‘found no evidence to support anyone being charged with any offences linked to the alleged threat.’ Where is the condemnation from the BBC and media establishment for ‘speculating’? Mahmood is a disgrace and must resign.
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) were investigating a suspected threat against the UK Ijtima event held at Shrubland Hall, Suffolk from July 9-12.
On Saturday, commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London, said: “This has been a fast-moving investigation after we became aware of information to indicate there was a potential threat towards the Islamic event over the course of last weekend.
“Since then, we have made extensive enquiries, but at this time, we have found no evidence to support anyone being charged with any offences linked to the alleged threat.
“While I know this may still be very concerning to the public and particularly to those in the Muslim community, I want to reassure them that our enquiries are ongoing. Should we identify any potential offences or threats to the public then we will not hesitate to take further action.
“I want to reiterate my thanks to the event organisers and to the local community in the area for their continued support and understanding as our investigation continues.”
12 people were arrested in connection with the investigation on July 12 and 13, four of which were released on bail pending further enquiries.
Eight of these were detained by police under section 41 of the Terrorism Act, meaning they could be detained up to seven days from their arrest. On Saturday, July 18, seven of these men were released from custody without charge.
Following the recovery of certain items during searches carried out as part of the investigation, one of these men, aged 42, was charged with two offences linked to possession of offensive weapons – namely extendable batons – as well as possession of a stun gun. He was remanded in custody to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 20.
The items and the offences he was charged with are not believed to be connected to the alleged threat being investigated.
A thirteenth man was arrested on July 16 on suspicion of an offence under section 5 of the Terrorism Act, 2006. He was released on bail wth strict conditions pending further enquiries.
Officers from CTP London carried out extensive enquiries, including searching several residential addresses and vehicles, and they have seized more than 35 digital devices.
The Express has contacted the home secretary for comment.