RAF Fairford- Terror suspect called police before 999 alert

The incident led to the arrests of five men on explosives and terrorism offences near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a base used by the US as part of recent air operations.

The call came around an hour before a farmer dialled 999 at 1.36am to report three vans blocking a road near the base, which has supported US air strikes against Iran.

Laurence Taylor, assistant commissioner and head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said: "We can confirm that no improvised explosive devices have been found.

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A US soldier at one of the gates of RAF Fairford (Image: Ben Birchall/PA)

"We have found a quantity of an accelerant, petrol and we have recovered that as part of our investigation."

All five men, British nationals in their mid-20s, remain under investigation and have been released on bail with "very strict conditions," according to Mr Taylor.

Donald Trump, US President, described the bail decision as disappointing.

He said: "We were involved in (the investigation), but as you know, your fellow countrymen let them go.

"Well, they didn’t let them go. They put them out on bail. I assume they haven’t watched closely… they should not have done that."

Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, said the suspected plot "clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor," though he did not elaborate.

The suspects include a 24-year-old from Camden and a 23-year-old, two 24-year-olds, and a 25-year-old from Westminster.