Soldiers on patrol at key sites as May demands show of strength
Prime Minister triggers response to terrorist threat which David Cameron thought too controversial
THERESA MAY’S unprecedented decision to deploy up to 5,000 armed troops at key strategic sites makes her the first Prime Minister to use a new plan as a show of strength against terrorist threats and puts her at odds with her predecessor David Cameron who was reluctant to use the power.
Operation Temperer – the government plan to put soldiers on the streets in the face of a major threat – was devised in 2015 and was a secret until it was accidentally leaked to the press.
Whitehall officials were keen to keep it under wraps because it was considered so sensitive and Mr Cameron was fearful implementing it would provoke comparisons with the Troubles in Northern Ireland and give the impression the Government had lost control and was imposing martial law.
The only other prime minister in recent times to deploy soldiers in mainland Britain in response to a terrorist threat was Tony Blair, who sent tanks and 450 members of the Armed Forces to guard airports in 2003 after warnings of a plot to bring down an airliner.
He was strongly criticised for risking undue panic, and military chiefs have since warned that once soldiers are deployed, it is difficult to justify pulling them back without also lowering the terrorist threat level.
Mrs May announced last night that the police had asked for military support, and the Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon approved the request, bringing Operation Temperer into force.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said it would allow police to “stretch our armed capability” and said officers will be working “really closely” with organisers of forthcoming major events to review security and policing arrangements.
Events will only go ahead “when it’s sensible and safe to do so”, he said.
It means soldiers could be deployed at major events such as Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley or the Champions League final in Cardiff on June 3.
Mrs May said: “Armed police officers responsible for duties such as guarding key sites will be replaced by members of the Armed Forces, which will allow the police to significantly increase the number of armed officers on patrol in key locations.”
She added: “In all circumstances, members of the Armed Forces who are deployed in this way will be under the command of police officers...precisely how the military and armed police officers will be deployed is an operational decision for police commanders.”
Mrs May vowed that the British spirit will “never be broken” in an emotional speech paying tribute to the Manchester victims and she warned the terrorists they will “never win”.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister, who worked through the night to coordinate the Government’s response, condemned the “appalling, sickening cowardice” of the suicide bomber who killed 22 people and injured 59 others.
Shortly after chairing a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee yesterday morning, Mrs May praised the actions of the emergency services and public in Manchester.
She said: “Let us remember those who died and let us celebrate those who helped, safe in the knowledge that the terrorists will never win – and our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail.”
Mrs May also warned there will be “difficult days ahead” as police and security services work to discover how an attack on such a scale could slip through the net undetected.
The former home secretary also vowed to ensure police had everything needed to raise security in major cities.
A host of major events have been cancelled this week and political campaigning for the General Election has been halted in a mark of respect for the victims.