Investigations · October 21, 2026
Two men re-arrested in RAF Fairford investigation
Published October 21, 2026 · Police update describes October 20 events
The new development
UK Counter Terrorism Policing says two men were re-arrested on October 20 in its investigation into activity near RAF Fairford on September 27.
The men, aged 24 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. Police say the country concerned is Iran. Both had previously been arrested in the wider investigation.
What remains uncertain
Police assess Iranian state involvement as highly likely, while continuing to investigate its extent and purpose. That is an attributed investigative assessment, not a court finding.
Re-arrest on suspicion is not a conviction. This update does not announce charges against these men, and they are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Why it matters
The latest action concerns a state-threat offence. It should be distinguished from earlier arrests under terrorism legislation, rather than treating all investigative steps as the same allegation.
Police say seven men have been arrested across the investigation. The two re-arrests should not be counted as two additional people.
Original source
Counter Terrorism Policing update, published on a page dated October 21, with an October 20 update and older entries beneath it.