Threat Of NI Terror Attack In Britain Raised

MI5 has raised the threat level to Great Britain from Northern Ireland-related terrorism from moderate to substantial.

Home Secretary Theresa May said the change means a terrorist attack is a strong possibility and reflects the continuing threat from dissident republican activity.

In a statement to the House of Commons, she said the Home Office was working closely with police and other relevant authorities to ensure appropriate security measures are in place to deal with the raised threat.

The threat level to the UK from international terrorism remains unchanged at severe - meaning an attack is highly likely. 

Terror threat levels in the UK can be assessed as low, moderate, substantial, severe or critical - with critical meaning an attack is expected imminently.

The threat to the UK mainland from Northern Irish terrorism was last at substantial in 2011, before it was reduced to moderate in October 2012.

Sky News Senior Correspondent Ian Woods said: "The decision is made not by politicians but by intelligence staff, so even though it has been announced by the Home Secretary Theresa May, it is based on advice coming from the security service, MI5.

"International terrorism has been at severe for some years now, but Irish terrorism, for want of a better phrase, coming from Dissident Republican activity, has been downgraded because there has been very little of it."

In Northern Ireland - where the threat from home-grown terror has been severe since it was first published in September 2010 - there have been a number of warnings about increased activity from dissident republican groups.

In March, prison officer Adrian Ismay, 52, died 11 days after he was injured in a dissident republican bomb attack.

The Democratic Unionist Party said the announcement provided a "bleak reminder of evil in our midst".

The party's parliamentary home affairs spokesman Gavin Robinson said: "We know that nothing will be achieved through terrorism, yet with no purpose, principal or plan, there remain those intent on death and destruction.

"They will not win. Our resolve remains with those in the security services who keep us safe in Northern Ireland and across the Country each and every day."