Counter Terror Business - Threat Landscape

MI5 director general gives annual threat update

Polly Jones — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 09:52:27 +0000

MI5 director general Ken McCallum has given his annual threat update.

McCallum said a more hostile world is forcing the biggest shifts in MI5’s mission since 9/11, with near record volumes of terrorism investigations as well as increasing state threats.

He started by remembering the recent terrorist attack in Manchester and the 20th anniversary of the July 7th attacks.

Since the start of 2020, MI5 and the police have disrupted 19 late-stage attack plots.

McCallum noted a change in investigations, with teams mostly focussed on individuals and small groups, rather than larger, more established networks.

He pointed out that Al Qaeda and Islamic State are becoming more ambitious, both encouraging and indirectly inciting would-be attackers in the West.

He also highlighted the rise in young people becoming involved in investigation one in five of the 232 terrorism arrests last year were of children under 17.

McCallum said that in the last year, there's been a 35 per cent increase in the number of individuals being investigated for involvement in state threat activity, highlighting Russia, Iran and China.

He finished his speech by talking about AI, with would-be terrorist trying to harness AI for their propaganda, their weapons research and their target reconnaissance. On the other hand, MI5 teams are using AI across their investigations, conducting automated trawls of images to instantly spot the one with a gun in it or searching across large volumes of messages between suspects to find a buried phrase that reveals an assassination plot.

He concluded: "In 2025, MI5 is contending with more volume and more variety of threat, from terrorists and state actors, than I’ve ever seen. Total security is, as we know, impossible in the kind of free society in which we all want to live. But still, we continue to strive for it, night and day.

"MI5, alongside the police, MI6, GCHQ, the NCA, the military and many others, is part of one of the most capable and connected national security systems in the world. We do succeed in detecting threats people are trying hard to conceal. We do get ahead of them in time to make a difference. And we do manage to lift our gaze to anticipate the next generation of threats and risks.

"That’s why I am so proud of the talented, selfless, often courageous MI5 people who show up, day after day, night after night, year after year, to take on these threats."

New MI5 guidance on espionage

Polly Jones — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 10:19:57 +0000

MI5’s National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) has published new guidance on countering espionage and interference, to help protect the UK’s democratic institutions from foreign interference and espionage threats.

The new guidance sets out state backed actors and their proxies attempt to manipulate, discredit or secretly gather information on political figures at all levels. This can be done through subtle and deceptive means.

It is designed to help MPs, peers, councillors, Parliamentary staff and candidates understand the threat and take simple, effective steps to protect themselves, their teams, and the integrity of the UK’s democracy.

The advice highlights that the UK is a target of strategic foreign interference and espionage from elements of the Russian, Chinese and Iranian states, but it also takes an actor-agnostic approach, focusing on the behaviours, methods and warning signs that should raise red flags.

It is pointed out that elected representatives and those who work with them may be targeted for their access to information, their ability to shape policy or public opinion, or their relationships with others of interest.

Minister for Cabinet Office and �鶹�� Office, Dan Jarvis, said: "I urge anyone working in government, public service or politics to be alert and trust their instincts if something does not feel right, and follow NPSA’s guidance. Foreign intelligence officers frequently operate covertly and exploit professional networking sites and personal vulnerabilities to build influence.

"This new guidance builds on the work we are already doing to tackle these issues. Those engaging in political influence on behalf of foreign powers must register under the Foreign Influence Registration scheme, as Parliament and the public have a right to know who is seeking to influence political outcomes, and in whose interests."

MI5 Director General, Sir Ken McCallum, said: "When foreign states steal vital UK information or manipulate our democratic processes they don’t just damage our security in the short-term, they erode the foundations of our sovereignty and ability to protect our citizens’ interests.

"Everyone reading this guidance cares deeply about the role they play in UK democracy. Take action today to protect it – and yourself."

MI5 Director General gives annual threat update

Polly Jones — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:41:53 +0000

The Director General of MI5, Ken McCallum has given his annual update on the current national security threats facing the UK.

Delivering the speech from the Counter Terrorism Operations Centre (CTOC) in London, he pointed out that the threat terrorism, alongside ongoing efforts by autocratic states to harm the UK’s security, presented the most complex threat environment we have ever seen.

McCallum began his speech by focussing on terrorism. Since March 2017, MI5 and the police have together disrupted 43 late-stage attack plots.

The split of MI5's counter terrorism work is roughly 75 per cent Islamist extremist, 25 per cent extreme right-wing terrorism. However, he highlighted a shift and pointed out that straightforward labels like “Islamist terrorism” or “extreme right wing” don’t fully reflect the range of beliefs and ideologies that are out there.

He said that there are more would-be terrorists a tenuous grasp of the ideologies they say they follow. This applies to people viewing both extreme right wing and Islamist extremist instructional material, along with other bits of online hatred, conspiracy theories and disinformation.

Comparing to work on Al-Qaeda, McCallum said that nowadays it's harder for investigators and their police counterparts to quickly and definitively determine whether an act of violence is ideologically motivated or driven by another factor.

He also spoke of worrying numbers of young people being involved in terrorism. 13 per cent of all those being investigated by MI5 for involvement in UK terrorism are under 18 - this represents a threefold increase in the last three years. This is particularly the case for extreme-right-wing terrorism, which, according to McCallum, "driven by propaganda that shows a canny understanding of online culture".

In both Islamist extremist and extreme right-wing terrorism, lone individuals, who are indoctrinated online, continue to make up most of the threats. However it is difficult to separated the real plotters from 'armchair extremists'.

McCallum spoke of the problems with aspects of the internet and encryption, highlighting the importance of lawful access to communications co-existing with privacy.

Speaking of the online world, he said: "the insidious effect of internet hatred and disinformation has played into threats to election candidates, intimidation of communities, and the public disorder that followed the sickening attack in Southport".

Moving on to the conflict in the Middle East, acknowledging the Hamas attacks on Israel and continuing loss of life in Gaza and Lebanon, he highlighted the implications for Middle Eastern and UK security.

The events in the Middle East could trigger terrorist action in the UK, as has already been seen with a knife attack in Hartlepool.

However, McCallum said that the terrorist threat that concerns him the most comes from Al-Qaeda and Islamic state.

He said: "Today’s Islamic State is not the force it was a decade ago. But after a few years of being pinned well back, they’ve resumed efforts to export terrorism. The ISKP attack in Moscow was a brutal demonstration of its capabilities. We and many European partners are detecting IS-connected activity in our homelands, which we are moving early to disrupt.

"And Al-Qaeda has sought to capitalise on conflict in the Middle East, calling for violent action."

The stats highlight that over the last month, more than a third of the top priority investigations have had some form of connection, of varying strengths, to organised overseas terrorist groups.

He also mentioned Northern Ireland, where the threat level has been reduced to substantial, but where there are still aspirations to mount attacks.

The speech also highlighted state threats. In the last year, the number of state threat investigations being run by MI5 has increased by 48 per cent.

Mentioning the war in Ukraine, McCallum warned of Putin's teams making efforts to attack elsewhere.

Since the war began, more than 750 Russian diplomats have been expelled from Europe, which according to McCallum has made a dent in the Russian intelligence services’ ability to cause damage in the West.

He also highlighted a shift in Russian state actors turning to proxies including private intelligence operatives and criminals from both the UK and third countries. Again, the internet is a crucial platform for connecting these malign actors.

Moving to Iran, he pointed out that since the killing Mahsa Amini in 2022, the number of threats has risen in the UK. Since January 2022, MI5 has responded to 20 Iran-backed plots presenting potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents.

With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, there is an increased risk of Iranian state aggression in the UK.

Similarly to Russia, Iranian state actors are also using criminals as proxies including international drug traffickers to low-level crooks.

Finally, he mentioned China, which is different to Russia and Iran. The economic relationship between the UK and China supports UK growth and underpins security, but there are still risks to be managed.

In conclusion, he said: "I’ll conclude close to home, on something which matters deeply to me: in the end, MI5’s success in keeping this precious country safe is all about our people. They provide so much of our edge over far larger adversaries. Their selflessness in making tough decisions every day, knowing they will never receive public recognition, is to the benefit of the whole UK.

"I likewise salute our law enforcement, intelligence community and government partners, domestically and internationally, whose support and collaboration are key to our success.

"It is my honour to serve alongside the many extraordinary people in MI5. When threats loom large, we are defined by those whose dedication and determination keep the country safe.

"They didn’t arrive here following the legendary tap on the shoulder – I certainly didn’t get one.

"In many cases they’re here because they saw a news story, or personally felt the impact of a threat, that drew them to an organisation with such a clear sense of purpose.

"So if you’re reading or watching this and you’re interested in a unique, rewarding and challenging career, visit the MI5 website today. As I’ve said before: it might change your life, it might save someone else’s."

UK to host AI developers to discuss safety and risks

Polly Jones — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 10:39:02 +0000

The UK is to host a conference in San Francisco, for talks between AI developers on how they can put into practice commitments made at the AI Seoul Summit.

The event will be held across 21 and 22 November and will include workshops and discussions focused on AI.

The conference precedes France hosting the AI Action Summit in February 2025.

Earlier this year, 16 companies from around the world, agreed to publish their latest AI safety frameworks ahead of the next Summit.

The AI safety frameworks will set out the companies' plans to tackle the most severe potential AI risks, including if the technology was misused by bad actors. The companies also agreed to stop the deployment or development of any models if their potential risks cannot be sufficiently addressed.

The San Francisco event will enable AI companies to take stock and share ideas and insights to support the development of their AI safety frameworks through a targeted day of talks between signatory companies and researchers.

Science, innovation and technology secretary Peter Kyle said: "The conference is a clear sign of the UK’s ambition to further the shared global mission to design practical and effective approaches to AI safety.

"We’re just months away from the AI Action Summit, and the discussions in San Francisco will give companies a clear focus on where and how they can bolster their AI safety plans building on the commitments they made in Seoul."

Daesh deemed 'rising threat' at UN Security Council meeting

Robyn Quick — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 08:50:18 +0000

Jess Jambert-Gray, deputy political coordinator, said the UK remains "deeply concerned about the rising threat of Daesh" at the UN Security Council meeting.

At the gathering in New York, she said its "branches present an acute threat to at-risk communities, whilst its propaganda seeks to exploit global events to inspire terrorist violence across the world."

Daesh is the Arabic acronym for ISIS, an Islamic extremist group.

Jambert-Gray said that there is an increasing threat from Daesh’s continued focus on Africa, including attacks from Daesh affiliates ISWAP and ISSP in West Africa and the Sahel threatens regional stability.

She added: "The Malabo declaration for a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach to tackling terrorism was a positive step forward and we stand ready to support the development of national action plans.

"It is vital these collective approaches work to address the underlying drivers of terrorism including reducing corruption, improving governance, and ensuring respect for the rule of law."

In addition, she said the the threat from ISKP is increasing, with the "abhorrent" attacks by the group on civilians in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Russia and Turkey in recent months.

"This emphasises," she said, "our need to tackle ISKP at a strategic level."

As part of this effort, the UK launched the ISKP Diplomatic Grouping in May last year to focus on increasing threats with regional partners.

The Grouping most recently convened in Doha last month to share expertise and drive action on countering ISKP finance, travel, and propaganda.

She concluded: "As we mark ten years since Daesh perpetrated genocide against the Yazidi people, we cannot lose focus in the fight against Daesh as it spreads to new theatres."

Jonathan Hall KC appointed Reviewer of State Threat Legislation

Polly Jones — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 09:54:16 +0000

Jonathan Hall KC has been appointed as the new Independent Reviewer of State Threat Legislation.

The new role has been brought in as part of the new National Security Act 2023.

The independent reviewer will be assessing the fairness, effectiveness and proportionality of UK state threats legislation, and report their findings and recommendations.

Hall has been independent reviewer of terrorism legislation since May 2019 and has been a King’s Counsel since 2013, with responsibility for various cases, including lead counsel in the undercover policing inquiry for three years, and has been involved in complex and high profile cases involving fraud, law enforcement, and national security.

�鶹�� secretary James Cleverly said: "I am pleased to announce that Jonathan Hall KC has been appointed as Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation.

"It is the government’s utmost priority to protect the UK’s national security, the safety of the British public and the UK’s vital interests from the hostile activities of foreign states.

"State threats legislation must therefore be as robust as possible to deal with individuals who seek to do us harm. I am confident that Mr Hall’s wealth of experience and legal expertise will help deliver this."

Jonathan Hall KC said: "I am very pleased to be appointed as the first State Threats Reviewer. The National Security Act 2023 is a major and innovative response to state threats.

"I look forward to bringing my experience of reviewing terrorism legislation to bear on this new set of offences and powers."