In a speech delivered from the Counter Terrorism Operations Centre (CTOC) in London on Tuesday, MI5 director general Ken McCallum warned that the UK is facing the most complex and interconnected threat environment it has ever seen. McCallum highlighted the ongoing threats from terrorism, as well as efforts by autocratic states to harm the UK’s security.
The MI5 chief said is agency in conjunction with police have disrupted 43 late-stage attack plots since March 2017, saving numerous lives. The majority of these plots, approximately 75 per cent, were linked to Islamist extremism, while 25 per cent were related to extreme right-wing terrorism. However, McCallum noted that these labels do not fully reflect the diverse range of beliefs and ideologies that are now being seen.
McCallum also emphasized the importance of international partnerships in staying ahead of transnational terrorist groups. He announced that the counter-terrorism agencies of the Five Eyes nations are working together with UK agencies at CTOC to detect and tackle terrorist threats saying, “The threat from terrorism, and the ongoing efforts by autocratic states to harm UK security, presents the most complex threat environment we have ever seen”.
In addition to terrorism, McCallum highlighted the growing threat from state actors, particularly Russia, Iran, and China. He warned that these countries are increasingly seeking to harm the UK’s security and that the UK needs to be prepared to confront these threats.
Tragically, the MI5 chief said, young individuals are increasingly drawn into extremism, with 13 per cent of MI5’s terrorism investigations involving those under 18. Right-wing extremism especially targets young recruits through nuanced online propaganda.
“The shifts underneath present the most complex and interconnected threat environment we’ve ever seen,” McCallum said. “We need all that same capability, partnering and ingenuity to confront – in parallel – the state threats we increasingly face as conflict and great power competition bite on the UK’s domestic security.”
The internet also plays a central role in contemporary threats. Many would-be attackers are radicalized online, with the internet enabling both propaganda and plot coordination. McCallum stressed the necessity of maintaining access to encrypted communications to prevent plots while upholding privacy laws, with recent cases underscoring the potential for online radicalization to translate into real-world violence, from synagogue attack plans to stabbings at public events.
Events in the Middle East, particularly recent conflicts affecting Israel and Gaza, present additional threats. McCallum highlighted the potential for these conflicts to incite violence in the UK, as seen previously in a knife attack in Hartlepool. Although public disorder and hate crimes have risen, they have not yet resulted in a significant spike in terrorism.
Al-Qaeda and Islamic State continue to pose significant dangers, with both groups reinvigorating efforts to export terrorism. ISKP’s attack in Moscow at the Crocus City Hall in March exemplifies their ongoing threat, with UK and European agencies detecting related activity domestically.
Recent convictions, such as life sentences for plotting attacks or attempting to join terrorist groups, reflect ongoing vigilance. “More cases will come through the courts,” McCallum warned, emphasizing the sustained threat from organized groups.
McCallum’s speech comes as the UK continues to face a range of security challenges, from terrorism and cyber attacks to state-sponsored espionage and disinformation campaigns, as warned by the National Cyber Security Centre in their 2023 review. His warning highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, and international partners to stay ahead of these evolving threats. While the terrorism threat level remains substantial, necessitating constant vigilance and cooperation across various sectors, McCallum reassured that MI5 and its partners are relentlessly working to keep the UK safe.
