Spy Chief Warns Of 'Terror On UK Streets'

In a rare public speech, the head of the secutiy service, MI5 has warned of the the risk of terrorism on UK streets.

Speaking to the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals on Thursday night, Jonathan Evans said it was "only a matter of time" before UK residents trained in Somalia stage an attack on British streets. He also said the risk of terrorism was unlikely to diminish in the near future.

Mr. Evans added that cyber-security was now a priority for the Government and admitted underestimating the ability of offshoots from the IRA to regenerate.

His comments come just weeks before the Government's spending review, which may lead to accusations of firing a warning shot towards the Government.

However, Whitehall insiders have said that like every department MI5 will face cuts , however the security service will not be as badly affected as others.

The spy chief confirmed that the threat from jihadists trained in northwest Pakistan remained a priority for his staff - but the percentage of plots and leads being followed had dropped to 50%.

Moreover, he warned the threat of an attack remained high and pointed to the situation in Somalia as being of serious concern.

He commented: "There are a significant number of UK residents training in Al Shabaab camps to fight in the insurgency there.

"I am concerned that it is only a matter of time before we see terrorism on our streets inspired by those who are today fighting alongside Al Shabaab."

Evans also listed Yemen as another main focus.

On Northern Ireland, Mr Evans said: "Perhaps we were giving insufficient weight to the pattern of history over the last 100 years, which shows that whenever the main body of Irish republicanism has reached a political accommodation and rejoined constitutional politics, a hardliner rejectionist group would fragment off and continue with the so-called 'armed struggle'.

"We cannot exclude the possibility that they might seek to extend their attacks to Great Britain as violent Republican groups have traditionally done."

There was also a warning that the London Olympics would be a target.

(BMcN/BMcC)