Source: Sky News

Law Enforcement

Khairi Saadallah: Police officer unaware terrorist had knife in flat day before Reading attack, inquest told Recalling the visit to Khairi Saadallah, PC Lewis Perham told the inquest he 'didn't believe he was in crisis when I met him' and was able to hold a conversation.

February 14, 2024   

(Sky News) A police officer who paid a “welfare visit” to a violent offender the day before he launched a terrorist attack has described how he was unaware the man had a knife for the attack in his flat. Khairi Saadallah was […]

Demonstrations

Three guilty of terror offence for displaying images of paragliders at pro-Palestine march The trio were found by the Metropolitan Police after a social media appeal and were charged under the Terrorism Act.

February 13, 2024   

(Sky News) Three people accused of displaying images of paragliders at a pro-Palestinian march have escaped jail after being found guilty of showing support for a terrorist group. Heba Alhayek, 29, and Pauline Ankunda, 26, and Noimutu Olayinka Taiwo, 27, were handed […]

Law Enforcement

Khairi Saadallah: Brother of terrorist warned police he could ‘harm himself or others’ day before he killed three, inquest told The brother — a care worker in his mid-30s — said police had visited Khairi Saadallah the evening before the attack, who dismissed concerns about him.

January 24, 2024   

(Sky News) The brother of a terrorist who killed three people in a park in Reading rang police the day before the attack, warning he “could harm himself or others,” an inquest has been told. Khairi Saadallah stabbed to death three men […]

Academics & Education

Schoolboy arrested with kitchen knife in rucksack as he prepared ‘imminent’ attack on teacher, court hears The schoolboy, who cannot be named, had allegedly previously planned an attack at the Isle of Wight music festival using a pickup truck and knife, but dropped the plan.

January 17, 2024   

(Sky News) A 15-year-old schoolboy who converted to Islam was arrested with a kitchen knife in his rucksack as he prepared for an “imminent” attack on one of his teachers who made a joke about pork, a court has heard. The schoolboy, […]

Academics & Education

School banned prayer against backdrop of ‘violence and intimidation,’ headteacher claims Michaela Community School in Brent, north London, is facing a legal challenge from a Muslim student who claims its approach to prayer is discriminatory and 'uniquely' affects her faith.

January 17, 2024   

(Sky News) A school decided to introduce a “prayer ban” for pupils against a “backdrop of events including violence, intimidation and appalling racial harassment” of teachers, its founder has said. Michaela Community School in Brent, north London, which was previously dubbed Britain’s […]

Academics & Education

Schoolboy planned attack on music festival and said he would ‘slice’ throat of teacher, court hears A jury has heard that a teenage Muslim convert looked up the Isle of Wight Festival as a potential target for a terror attack after developing an 'Islamic extremist mindset.'

January 16, 2024   

(Sky News) A 15-year-old schoolboy, who converted to Islam, planned to attack the Isle of Wight music festival using a vehicle and knife, a court has heard. The youth, who cannot be named, was arrested on the day of his alleged planned […]

News: Europe

Reading terror attack: ‘Time has stood still since stabbing,’ family of man killed tell inquest Khairi Saadallah was sentenced to a whole life order after he stabbed three men to death at Forbury Gardens, Reading, in June 2020.

January 15, 2024   

(Sky News) The family of a man stabbed to death in a park in Reading during a terrorist attack have told the opening of an inquest that “time has stood still” since the attacks. Khairi Saadallah, a Libyan refugee, stabbed three men […]

Cemeteries & Funerals

NSW Police monitoring a Sydney mosque which announced commemorative service for Hezbollah militant killed in Lebanon Sydney mosque Al Rahman has been revealed to be hosting a memorial service this week for a Hezbollah terrorist killed in Lebanon while fighting with Israel.

December 26, 2023   

(Sky News) NSW Police say they are monitoring Al Rahman Mosque as it holds a commemorative service for Hezbollah fighter Hussein Ibrahim Salameh, known as Nasser, killed in Lebanon this month. On Christmas Eve, Hezbollah announced six militants were killed between December […]

Legal

Man jailed for spying on Iran International TV channel in London to help terror plotters Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev told the jury at his Old Bailey trial he 'quite simply liked' the buildings and architecture surrounding the west London headquarters of the Iranian television channel.

December 22, 2023   

(Sky News) A Chechen-born man has been jailed after being found guilty of spying on a London-based dissident Iranian TV station to help terror plotters. Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, was accused of conducting surveillance on the west London headquarters of Iran International as […]

Legal

Man guilty of spying on London-based TV channel Iran International to help terror plotters Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev was accused of conducting surveillance on a media company that was critical of Iran. Asked why he had taken an interest in the building he told the court he was 'in wonder at the architecture.'

December 20, 2023   

(Sky News) A Chechen-born man has been found guilty of spying on a London-based dissident Iranian TV station to help terror plotters. Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, was accused of conducting surveillance on the west London headquarters of Iran International as part of a […]

Legal

Man accused of terror spying trip to London claims he took video of TV station in ‘wonder’ of architecture Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, is on trial at the Old Bailey charged with attempting to collect information useful for terrorism. He claims he was 'in wonder' at the architecture in West London and was 'set up.'

December 14, 2023   

(Sky News) A Chechen-born man accused of being an “international terrorist” conducting hostile reconnaissance against a dissident Iranian TV station in West London has claimed he was “set up.” Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, is accused of conducting surveillance on Iran International at the […]

Legal

Russian-speaking man accused of ‘hostile reconnaissance’ for TV station terror attack told police he was sightseeing in London Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev told security guards outside Iran International's former headquarters in Chiswick that he was in the area to visit a friend and to go sightseeing in London.

December 12, 2023   

(Sky News) A Russian-speaking man accused of conducting hostile reconnaissance for a terrorist attack on a dissident Iranian TV station in West London told police he was on a weekend sightseeing visit in the capital, a court has heard. Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, […]

Legal

Man ‘spied on HQ of London-based TV channel Iran International to help terror plotters’ Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, told security guards outside the channel's headquarters that he was in the area to visit a friend. But he was later arrested by police after he was seen filming the building on his mobile phone, a court was told.

December 11, 2023   

(Sky News) An Austrian man is on trial accused of carrying out “hostile reconnaissance” of a TV station in London that was potentially being targeted for a terrorist attack. Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev is said to have tried to covertly film security arrangements outside […]

Government & Politics

Arrest made after Tory MP Justin Tomlinson was sent threatening messages about Israel-Gaza conflict Feras Al-Jayoosi, 36, has been charged with stalking Justin Tomlinson, Conservative MP for North Swindon, by allegedly sending him multiple abusive and threatening emails about the Israel-Gaza conflict.

November 25, 2023   

(Sky News) A man has been remanded in custody accused of stalking a Conservative MP by sending him threatening messages about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Feras Al-Jayoosi, 36, was arrested by counter-terrorism police on Thursday and was later charged with stalking Justin Tomlinson, […]

Children & Teens

Teenager arrested on suspicion of terror offences — as Met Police urges public to be ‘vigilant’ over Christmas period The 17-year-old boy is detained in north London as part of a probe related to Islamist extremism — with the Met Police saying it is 'very concerned about the increasing numbers of young people we're seeing feature' in its investigations.

November 17, 2023   

(Sky News) A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of terror offences — as police issued a warning to the public to be “vigilant” over the Christmas period. The 17-year-old boy was detained at a residential address in north London on Thursday […]

Demonstrations

Police ‘actively looking’ for individuals over antisemitic signs at pro-Palestinian march While a march in the capital calling for a ceasefire in Gaza remained largely peaceful, images are circulating on social media showing some protesters having carried antisemitic signs. Sky News has also seen antisemitic graffiti close to the route.

November 11, 2023   

(Sky News) The Metropolitan Police has said it is “actively looking” for individuals pictured carrying antisemitic placards at the pro-Palestinian march in London. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in a march in the capital on Saturday, calling for a ceasefire […]

Demonstrations

Met Police cuts ties with adviser who led controversial chant at pro-Palestinian rally Scotland Yard said the language and views expressed by Mr Malik 'appear antisemitic and contrary with our values' and it would be 'immediately ceasing our relationship' with him while it investigates.

November 5, 2023   

(Sky News) The Metropolitan Police has ceased working with an adviser who was filmed leading a chant of the controversial slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Solicitor Attiq Malik is chair of the London Muslim Communities Forum, […]

Demonstrations

‘These are hate marches’: Home secretary hits out at pro-Palestinian protests as UK terror threat level remains ‘substantial’ When questioned about demonstrations in London, Suella Braverman said police were dealing with a 'large number of bad actors' and urged forces to take a 'zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism.'

October 30, 2023   

(Sky News) Home Secretary Suella Braverman has described street demonstrations in support of Palestinians as “hate marches.” It comes as five people have been charged after a pro-Palestinian protest took place in London on Saturday — the second weekend in a row […]

Crime

Israel-Hamas war: Met Police chief calls for ‘sharper’ laws in dealing with extremism Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said he would support a review into the legal definition of extremism and how it should be policed — amid criticism of their handling of pro-Palestine protests.

October 29, 2023   

(Sky News) The Met Police chief has said there is scope for “sharper” laws in dealing with extremism as he faces criticism over the handling of pro-Palestinian protests in London. It comes as two women have been held on suspicion of inciting […]

Citizenship

Shamima Begum’s British citizenship removal was ‘unlawful,’ Court of Appeal hears Shamima Begum, then aged 15, travelled to Syria in 2015. She was later found to be living in a refugee camp and shortly after, the Home Office revoked her citizenship and barred her from returning to the UK.

October 24, 2023   

(Sky News) The decision to remove Shamima Begum’s British citizenship was “unlawful,” a court has heard, as her latest appeal against the decision begins. Ms Begum travelled to Syria in 2015 to join Islamic State, when she was aged 15, and her […]

Health & Medicine

Man accused of planning terror attack on Leeds hospital admits possessing pressure cooker bomb Mohammad Farooq, 28, pleads guilty to a charge of possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property. He denies engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts after allegedly planning attacks on St James's Hospital and an RAF base.

October 20, 2023   

(Sky News) A clinical support worker accused of planning terrorist attacks on a hospital in Leeds and an RAF base has admitted possessing a pressure cooker bomb. Mohammad Farooq is accused of targeting St James’s Hospital in Leeds after a failed attempt […]

Legal

Hartlepool stabbings: Man in court charged with ‘terror-motivated’ murder and attempted murder Ahmed Alid, who was following the hearing with the help of an Arabic interpreter, did not respond when repeatedly asked to confirm his name. Instead, he said: 'I'm very ill, I cannot talk, I cannot speak.'

October 19, 2023   

(Sky News) A Moroccan national has appeared at the Old Bailey accused of stabbing a 70-year-old man to death in Hartlepool, in a knife attack alleged to have been motivated by terrorism. Ahmed Alid is charged with the attempted murder of his […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Spy chief says MI5 ‘absolutely alert’ to risk of UK terror attack amid Israel-Hamas war Ken McCallum also tells Sky News there is a 'sharpened concern' about multiple threats, from far-right antisemitism, Islamophobia, Islamist extremism, and rising state-level aggression — predominantly from China, Russia and Iran.

October 17, 2023   

(Sky News) The director general of MI5 has told Sky News his intelligence officers are “focused with particular intensity” on a growing risk of attacks within the UK following events in the Middle East. In a rare interview, Ken McCallum said: “Sadly, […]

Health & Medicine

Man pleads guilty to terrorism offences ahead of trial for allegedly planning attack on St James’s hospital in Leeds Mohammad Farooq, 27, is accused of taking a pressure cooker bomb to St James's Hospital in Leeds after a failed attempt to launch a terrorist attack on RAF Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire, motivated by an interest in radical Islam.

October 16, 2023   

(Sky News) A clinical support worker has pleaded guilty to terrorism offences ahead of his trial for allegedly planning an attack on a maternity hospital in Leeds and an RAF station in North Yorkshire. Mohammad Farooq, 27, from Roundhay in Leeds, is […]

Demonstrations

Israel-Hamas war: Police seek two women who wore images of paragliders at London protest The images may be a reference to Hamas storming into Israel on motorised paragliders during a surprise attack last weekend that included the murder of 260 people at a music festival.

October 15, 2023   

(Sky News) Two women who wore images of paragliders on their backs during yesterday’s protest for Palestinians are now being sought by London police. The women, who wore red and black jackets, are being asked to come forward as part of an […]

Academics & Education

Several UK Jewish schools close ‘in interests of the safety of our precious children’ It comes as Jewish students were being warned by schools to disguise their uniform because of a fear of retaliatory attacks caused by the ongoing war in Israel.

October 12, 2023 , and   

(Sky News) Four Jewish schools in north London are closing their doors “in the interests of the safety of our precious children.” Torah Vodaas Primary School in Edgware, Ateres Beis Yaakov Primary School in Colindale, and Menorah High School in Neasden informed […]

Demonstrations

Man arrested for bringing Israeli flag to Sydney pro-Palestinian protest says ‘police should feel ashamed of themselves’ A Sydney man has slammed police for arresting him after he brought an Israeli flag to a pro-Palestinian rally on Monday night, claiming the actions of the officers were 'excessive.'

October 10, 2023   

(Sky News) A Sydney man arrested for turning up to a pro-Palestinian rally with an Israeli flag has told Sky News Australia that police “should feel ashamed of themselves.” Mark Spiro said he was hauled away by three police officers after being […]

Government & Politics

Suella Braverman urged to ‘stand up’ to France and demand repayment after reports Channel interceptions are falling Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed a three-year £480m Anglo-French deal in March as a key element of his pledge to 'stop the boats.' Despite this, the Telegraph reports French interceptions in the Channel are falling.

August 18, 2023   

(Sky News) Suella Braverman has been urged to “stand up” to France as reports emerged the country is intercepting fewer migrants in the Channel despite a £480m funding deal. The call from Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis came as the Telegraph claimed just […]

Government & Politics

Over 100,000 people now likely to have crossed Channel in small boats since records began New arrivals crossing the English Channel this week have now likely taken the overall number of people who have made the journey in small boats to more than 100,000 since records started in 2018.

August 10, 2023   

(Sky News) The number of people who have crossed the English Channel in small boats in the past five years is now likely to have passed 100,000. Government figures show that since 2018, when records began, 99,960 people have made the perilous […]

Banks & Banking

Banks accused of closing accounts belonging to British Muslims The Muslim Council of Britain has written to political leaders, saying members of the community are 'disproportionately affected' and need to have their rights protected.

August 1, 2023   

(Sky News) British Muslims are having their bank accounts closed “without adequate transparency and recourse,” representatives have claimed. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said individuals and organisations in the community were being “disproportionately affected by this issue” — leaving the group […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Tory ‘turmoil’ stopped party tackling Islamophobia in its ranks Two years after a report into discrimination within the party concluded, its author says progress has been 'slow' due to multiple changes at the top.

July 24, 2023   

(Sky News) The “turmoil” at the top of the Tories has led to “slow” progress in tackling Islamophobia within the party, an independent reviewer has said. Boris Johnson launched an inquiry into discrimination within its ranks after the last election in 2019. […]

Government & Politics

Suella Braverman says risk of terrorism ‘rising’ as review says Islamist terror is primary threat The Home Secretary Suella Braverman was speaking following [an] update to the government's counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. Islamist and right-wing extremism were highlighted as the two main threats in the UK.

July 18, 2023   

(Sky News) The risk from terrorism is “rising,” Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said. The cabinet minister was speaking as the government published a review of its counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, which has been updated for the first time in five years. Ms […]

Government & Politics

Rishi Sunak says small boats plan is ‘working’ — despite record number of crossings at weekend The prime minister spoke as his flagship Illegal Migration Bill heads back to the Commons after suffering a number of defeats in the House of Lords.

July 11, 2023   

(Sky News) Rishi Sunak has insisted his plan to stop small boat crossings in the Channel is “working” — despite more than 1,000 people making the journey over the weekend. The prime minister said he has always acknowledged that crossings “will increase […]

Government & Politics

Manchester Arena bombing inquiry: Chairman raises concerns about slow uptake of recommendations to monitor security services Chairman Sir John Saunders has suggested ways to track the progress of MI5 and Counter Terrorism Policing including an unpaid check-up meeting by his inquiry team.

July 4, 2023   

(Sky News) There is no mechanism to make sure improvements have been made by MI5 after they made “mistakes” over the Manchester Arena bombing, the chairman of the inquiry has said. Sir John Saunders said there is no agreement on how to […]

Government & Politics

Channel crossings on the rise despite Rishi Sunak’s ‘stop the boats’ pledge — as yearly total passes 10,000 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made 'stop the boats' one of his priorities, but this week has seen an increase in Channel crossings and Home Office data shows the annual total now stands at 10,139.

June 18, 2023   

(Sky News) More than 10,000 people are known to have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, latest figures show. A jump in arrivals in recent days — 486 on Friday and 374 on Saturday — saw the […]

Legal

Financial analyst jailed after creating bomb factory in a lock-up Asad Bhatti was described in court as a loner who had a deep-seated hatred for those he considered as 'hypocrites' — along with others for their ethnicity and sexuality. He was convicted of having a stash of bomb-making materials after police received a tip-off from a computer repair shop.

June 12, 2023   

(Sky News) A financial analyst from Surrey has been jailed for eight years for terrorism offences after he was caught with a bomb factory in a lock-up when he took his laptop in for repair. Asad Bhatti, 50, from Redhill, who worked […]

Children & Teens

Lee Rigby’s son speaks out for first time since his dad was murdered 10 years ago Jack Rigby was a toddler when his dad was murdered. Now aged 12, he is fundraising for charity to mark the 10th anniversary of his father's death.

May 18, 2023   

(Sky News) Lee Rigby’s 12-year-old son has spoken out for the first time since his dad was murdered in 2013. Jack Rigby was just two-years-old when Fusilier Lee Rigby was killed by Islamic extremists outside his barracks in Woolwich, south London, in […]

Internet

Twitter user who published image of severed head sentenced to five and a half years in prison As well as tweeting out a picture of French teacher Samuel Paty's severed head, he also sought to encourage attacks on the governments of countries he believed to be 'acting against Islam,' the prosecutor said.

May 11, 2023   

(Sky News) A Twitter user has been jailed for more than five years after using the platform to publish images encouraging the beheading of teachers for blasphemy against Islam. Ajmal Shahpal, 41, from Nottingham, made the comments shortly after a teacher was […]

Crime

Suella Braverman: Illegal immigrants ‘at odds with British values’ — as small boats bill passes next hurdle The home secretary claims criminality is 'very closely linked' to Channel crossings, with 'many' people getting involved in drugs, violence and prostitution. Meanwhile, MPs voted through controversial legislation to tackle small boats and it will now head to the Lords.

April 26, 2023   

(Sky News) The behaviour of people arriving in the UK on small boats is “at odds with British values,” the home secretary has claimed. Speaking exclusively to Sky News, Suella Braverman said people making the dangerous Channel crossing — who include asylum […]

Children & Teens

Suella Braverman describes grooming gang comments as ‘unfashionable facts’ after backlash The home secretary claimed it was not racist to speak 'plain truths' after she was accused of amplifying far-right narratives with claims most grooming gang members are British-Pakistani.

April 20, 2023   

(Sky News) Suella Braverman has defended her use of language after claiming grooming gang members are “almost all British-Pakistani,” describing them as “unfashionable facts” in the face of a backlash. In a column for the Spectator, the home secretary said it was […]

Legal

Shabazz Suleman: British IS recruit who claimed he spent time in Syria ‘on Playstation’ pleads guilty to terror offence Shabazz Suleman, who was arrested after returning to Heathrow in 2021, previously insisted he spent most of his three years in terrorist territory playing PlayStation and riding his bike.

April 14, 2023   

(Sky News) A former grammar school pupil has pleaded guilty to travelling to Syria to join Islamic State, despite previously claiming he had spent his time there playing computer games. Shabazz Suleman had just completed his AS-levels at a grammar school in […]

Children & Teens

Muslim groups urge Suella Braverman to withdraw ‘irresponsible and divisive’ grooming gang comments A Home Office-commissioned study in 2020 found that group-based child sexual exploitation offenders are most commonly white.

April 11, 2023   

(Sky News) Suella Braverman has been urged to withdraw “divisive” comments around child sexual exploitation (CSE) by dozens of medical bodies, businesses and Muslim community organisations, Sky News can reveal. A number of Muslim organisations across the country have written to Rishi […]

Government & Politics

Home Office confirms plan to house asylum seekers in giant barge in Dorset The plan has proved controversial after the local MP and council raised concerns the area is inappropriate for hundreds of asylum seekers to be placed. But the government has said it needs to move them out of expensive hotels.

April 5, 2023 and   

(Sky News) A giant vessel docked off the Dorset coast will be used to hold hundreds of asylum seekers, the Home Office has confirmed, despite legal threats from local Tories. The barge, called the Bibby Stockholm, will be berthed in Portland Port […]

Government & Politics

Manchester Arena attack victim’s father intends to sue MI5 for failing to stop bombing Andrew Roussos, father to victim Saffie Roussos, said that the apology from MI5 came too late, and he wishes he could have his daughter back.

March 5, 2023   

(Sky News) The father of the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena bombing intends to sue MI5. Eight-year-old Saffie Roussos was one of the 22 people killed in the attack by suicide bomber Salman Abedi, 22, in May 2017. Now her father, […]

Academics & Education

Suella Braverman alarmed by ‘death threats’ against pupils who allegedly damaged Koran The home secretary made the remark after four students were suspended over an incident at a school in West Yorkshire. A copy of the Islamic text was reportedly brought into school before its cover was slightly torn and smears of dirt were found on some pages.

March 4, 2023   

(Sky News) Reports of death threats against West Yorkshire school pupils who allegedly damaged a copy of the Koran are alarming, the home secretary has said. Suella Braverman has spoken of her “deep concern” over the case and said it raises broader […]

Government & Politics

Clare O’Neil says protecting Australians is ‘driving force’ for decisions in the case of domestic terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil has faced questions around the release of one of Australia’s most infamous domestic terrorists, as his detention order is set to expire.

February 27, 2023   

(Sky News) Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil has reassured Australians that national security is of utmost importance while being quizzed about the potential release of Abdul Nacer Benbrika. The infamous domestic terrorist’s future is up in the air, with a detention order […]