Remembrance ‘terror plot’: three arrested after fatal explosion in Liverpool

From the Liverpool Echo, The Telegraph  and The Times

Counter-terror police were on Sunday night investigating a Remembrance Day car explosion at Liverpool Women’s Hospital that killed one person and injured another.

Armed officers arrested three suspects under the Terrorism Act as properties across the city were raided amid fears of a wider plot.

Police, fire crews and Army bomb disposal experts raced to the scene to discover a taxi on fire with a person still inside. The driver of the vehicle, named locally as David Perry, managed to escape and was on Sunday night being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries. The Women’s Hospital is just a mile from Liverpool Cathedral, where military personnel, veterans and civic dignitaries were gathering for a Remembrance Day service.

Security sources confirmed that detectives were examining whether there was any significance to the timing of the incident close to Liverpool Cathedral, which was hosting one of the country’s largest memorial services with about 2,000 military personnel, veterans and families of those who died. Big screens were set up in the cathedral grounds so the service could be broadcast to those who could not get inside and local roads were closed because of a parade linked to the event.

There were unconfirmed reports on Sunday night that the cab driver diverted to the hospital after becoming suspicious about his passenger, but was hurt when a device was detonated. It was also claimed that the driver had been able to flee the vehicle and lock the alleged suspect inside in order to prevent any further harm.

Confirming the arrest of three suspects in the city, a spokesman for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “The men – aged 29, 26, and 21 – were detained in the Kensington area of the city and arrested under the Terrorism Act, in connection with the incident which occurred just before 11am on Sunday 14 November.”

A short time after the explosion, armed police sealed off Rutland Avenue in the Sefton district of Liverpool and began searching a property.

23:18 Merseyside Police explain why GMP are leading updates

Counter Terrorism Police North West are based in Manchester and are the lead law enforcement agency for this incident.

@gmpolice are leading on the updates because @TerrorismPolice  in the North-West are based there. Between us we’ve arrested 3 men in connection with this incident. We won’t be commenting on speculation and hope that people will follow our social media for accurate info.

23:41 Taxis arriving to escort residents

Taxis have arrived on Rutland Avenue to escort residents from the area.

We’ve seen a number of residents being evacuated from the street with luggage and taken away in cars

There are ancedotal reports of a ‘stand-off’ and negotiators present along with the armed police.

The Times also reports A neighbour said that police appeared to be negotiating with a “foreign” resident who had moved into a flat about two or three months ago.

This doesn’t sound like the bogey-man ‘far right’. It doesn’t have an IRA ring to it either. The danger of left-wing anarchists or animal rights protestors, or Extinction Rebellion activists wanting to make something else with superglue and common household chemicals is always with us. The police downplaying the possibilities, asking that nobody speculate while ‘reassuring the communities’ has the familiar feel of an Islamic plot. We’ll know more in the morning. Tonight I am just glad that only the bomb-holder is dead. I’ll pray for the negotiations in Rutland Street before sleep.