Al Qaeda terrorists 'tried to poison UK water supply' as plot thwarted

An extremist cell's attempt to contaminate London's water supplies was thwarted by the nation's vigilant security services, an ex-counter-terrorism minister has divulged.

Lord West of Spithead, who served in office during the turbulent period, shed light on how the ghastly 2008 plot was averted as debates at probed the steps being taken to shield Britain's reservoirs from hostile forces.

This revelation comes after comprehensive military plans aimed at protecting the UK from threats from Putin's Russia and China's Xi Jinping were published. Sir lauded the recently unveiled strategic defence review (SDR), insisting that it heralds the emergence of a "battle-ready, armour-clad" nation.

It comes during a time of heightened anxiety surrounding the susceptibility of critical national infrastructure to sinister external attacks. After being questioned over plans to contaminate the UK's essential water supply, Baroness Hayman of Ullock said in Parliament: "My understanding is that there has not been such an incident, but that does not mean that we should be complacent.

"We know that our water and energy infrastructure are both potentially vulnerable to hostile attacks."

However, setting the record straight, Lord West, the then Home Office minister for security and counter-terrorism, intervened, revealing: "In 2008 there was an attempt by eight al Qaida operatives to poison north London water supplies.

"I am pleased to say that our agencies worked brilliantly to stop it happening."

The former Navy chief, who is a member of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, added: "As a result, in the Home Office we initiated a series of work on police response times, indicators of where the outflows from reservoirs went and new barriers.

"Where has all that work gone? These things somehow seem to disappear. There should be some reports, and hopefully someone did something about it."

In response, Lady Hayman said: "That is extremely interesting and very helpful of my noble friend. I will certainly look into it, because it is an important point."

Earlier, the minister informed peers: "The Government's first duty is to protect our national security and keep our country safe.

"Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) recognises that the drinking water supply is a potential target for hostile actors.

"It works with water companies and partners across Government to understand and monitor threats to water supply and to consider responses as appropriate to protect the security of our water system."

However, Labour peer Lord Harris of Haringey, who is chairman of the National Preparedness Commission, said: "I wonder whether her department is being a tad complacent in talking simply about monitoring the threat rather than looking at what practical arrangements can be made."

The potential threat of drones to the UK's water supply has raised significant concerns, with Lady Hayman highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to national security.

Lord Harris questioned: "For example, how do we deal with a drone which is flown over a reservoir and deposits something in there?

"The panic effects of that being known to have happened and not necessarily knowing what the substance is would be enormous."

Lady Hayman emphasised: "Tackling the diverse range of state threats - not just drones but many other threats - requires a cross-government and cross-society response."

She stressed the importance of collaboration across various sectors, saying: "We need to draw on the skills, the resources and the remits of different departments and operational partners."

Detailing the efforts within her department, she added, "In Defra, we work closely to look at the threats and the appropriate levels of response, specifically drawing on expert advice from the National Protective Security Authority, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Home Office, as well as carrying out threat assessment with policing partners."

Lord Hogan-Howe, former head of the Metropolitan Police, expressed his longstanding concerns about the vulnerability of the nation's water infrastructure. He said: "For about 15 years, I have been worried about the water supply - the large and small reservoirs, the pipes that connect them and, of course, the water treatment plants."

He also pointed out potential confusion in the chain of responsibility for security, adding: "I worry that there is sometimes confusion between the Home Office, Defra and others about who is looking after security."

The independent crossbencher called for greater prioritisation of these issues, adding, "It needs to be higher in the priorities than it presently appears."

Responding to these concerns, the minister reassured: "I can assure him that we discuss these matters with the Home Office.

"One thing that we have been trying hard to do in Defra and other departments since we came into government is to work better across Government."

The Home Office has been approached for a statement by the PA news agency.