Queen funeral at ‘serious threat’ as MI5 and Met launch major anti-terror op

2022-09-19

Britain's biggest ever security operation is under way to protect the Queen's funeral from "serious" threats, a world-leading security expert has said.

The eyes of the world will be on Westminster Abbey ahead of the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen starting at 11am.

Heads of state, prime ministers, presidents, royalty and other officials are in London – as well as hundreds of thousands of mourners – to pay their final respects to the-late monarch who died earlier this month (September 8) at the age of 96.

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The high profile nature of the event has seen the Government direct the vast majority of the country's security and police forces to the capital to protect the event, with a so-called "ring of steel" now in force around the Abbey.

Representatives of the police emergency services and intelligence agencies such as GCHQ and MI5 have gathered in a Special Operations Room in Lambeth to coordinate the "extraordinary" security operation – the largest the Metropolitan Police has ever conducted.

Professor Anthony Glees exclusively told Daily Star how jihadists, "fruitcakes" and Extinction Rebellion members pose a risk today, while a lack of police outside the capital could could make areas outside of London vulnerable.

The University of Buckingham professor, who specialises in intelligence-led security policies and practices, exclusively told the Daily Star: “This will be a security nightmare, of course, with all our spooks and cops involved 24/7.

“(Met Police chief) Sir Mark Rowley is a very safe pair of hands, and highly regarded, and our name would be mud if anything happened – so it can't.

"There will be a severe lack of cops and yellow jackets outside of London and Windsor but even crooks respect the Queen and I think they'll behave.

“Clearly jihadists may be a problem but I'd guess we know each and everyone of them and they'll be nabbed if there's any sign of trouble.

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“My own biggest worry would be the individual fruitcakes and members of Extinction Rebellion. I doubt if the Bearskins will tolerate any nonsense from this quarter.”

Much has been made of United States President Joe Biden who all-but refused to attend if he wasn't allowed his own security detail.

Biden arrived at Westminster in his armoured car, known as the "Beast", to pay his respects to the Queen in Westminster Hall.

The president has been allowed to make his own travel and security arrangements, while other world leaders are expected to share a coach ride to the venue.

The 79-year-old democrat will be the most protected person attending the funeral with 400 special agents keeping watch over him as he makes his way in his heavily armoured Cadillac.

Specifications of the stretch limousine have been shrouded in secrecy for security reasons but the vehicle is said to have 8-inch steel walls to protect the president, which contribute to its overall weight being more than 20,000lb.

Among its James Bond-style gadgets and quirks include the ability to fire tear gas, camouflage itself with a surrounding smokescreen while also having an oil slick button which can be released onto the road to thwart any potential assailants from giving chase.

And Professor Glees is adamant that Biden would not have come without it.

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He said: “No US president will come if they're not allowed to bring their two Beasts, ones decoy, and two helicopters as well – and the secret Service, with their own weapons, which normally we wouldn't allow.

“So we'll allow that and there'll be 100-200 of them just for Biden.

“I'd be very surprised if Biden joined the others at the Chelsea Hospital (where the coaches are leaving from) – he's definitely the big cheese.”

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A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office source told the Daily Star in response: “This is a huge scale operation.

"Around 500 dignitaries from across the world are expected and large public crowds have already been seen – with more likely on the day of the funeral.

“The logistics have been meticulously planned to try to make it as smooth as possible for those attending.”

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