Four MPs on terror hit list
Updated on 27 May 2010
Exclusive: Channel 4 News has learned that police are advising four MPs whose names were found on a suspected terrorist hit list. The news follows the knife attack on Labour MP Stephen Timms. Political correspondent Cathy Newman reports.
Former minister Jim Fitzpatrick, the Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, is among the four MPs who have been offered advice and assistance by the police.
Channel 4 News understands Scotland Yard is reviewing security for all 650 members of parliament in the wake of fears over Islamist extremists.
Senior police sources have expressed concern that politicians may be at risk from so-called "self-radicalisers" - lone extremists who are not part of an organised plot but who are inspired by al-Qaida. Scotland Yard tonight declined to comment.
The disclosure comes two weeks after the former minister Stephen Timms was stabbed while speaking to constituents. The attack in east London by a young Asian woman is now being treated as a terrorist investigation. His assailant is believed to have been radicalised by Islamist extremists.
Budget cuts
The home secretary today announced a £10m reduction in this year's counter-terrorism policing budget, as part of £367m in Home Office savings.
The news, which was buried in a written ministerial answer, has caused fury among Labour and the Conservatives.
Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson criticised the decision to budget cuts, in the light of the "worrying" news that MPs were had been warned of terrorist threats.
"All MPs now, particularly in London, are going to have to talk very profoundly with the police to see what measures they have to take," he told Channel 4 News. "In terms of the overall picture we need to ensure the police have the proper resources in counter-terrorism, as well as in all the things that they do."
Police have also raised concerns over David Cameron's personal security, after he abandoned the traditional prime ministerial motorcycle outriders and continued to walk around Whitehall.
The prime minister moved into Downing Street today, after warnings from counter-terrorism experts that it would cost too much to make his west london home safe.
