Blair urges calm after London alert
Tony Blair has urged calm in the wake of today’s security alert in London, saying the only aim of the terrorists was to spread fear.
His comments came after Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Ian Blair described three blasts on the underground system and one on a bus this lunchtime as “very serious”.
At least one person is believed to have been injured in the explosions, which occurred at the Hammersmith and City branch of Shepherds Bush station; at Oval station; and at Warren Street station at about 12:30 BST.
Police also confirmed that they responded to an incident on a route 26 bus in Hackney Road in east London, near Columbia Road. There are no casualties from this explosion.
The prime minister said he was unable to comment on the situation at the moment due to operational reasons but said he had met with the anti-terrorist Cabinet task force, Cobra, and had been in contact with the police and security chiefs.
But while Mr Blair said it would be wrong to play down the incidents, he urged people to remain calm and continue their lives as normally as possible.
“We know why these things are done – to scare people, frighten them, make them anxious and worried,” he said.
But he said British people had reacted with “great dignity and great determination” in the wake of the London bombings two weeks ago today, and he believed they would again.
“It will not change us. Our reactions have got to be the same – to react in any other way is to engage in the game they want to play,” he said.
Mr Blair, who was speaking following talks with Australian prime minister John Howard, said he intended to continue with his planned engagements this afternoon.
“I’m not minimising the incidents, but on the other hand it is important that we react calmly and continue with our lives. That’s what I intend to do,” he said.
The bombs are said to be “much smaller” than those a fortnight ago, which killed 56 people, but officers wearing full protective equipment have attended the scene as a “precaution” in case the explosions were chemical or biological in nature.
British Transport police have confirmed that one person has been injured in the Warren Street incident and reports from the scene suggest passengers witnessed smoke coming from the train.
The Victoria, Northern, Bakerloo and Hammersmith and City tube lines have been suspended and Transport for London have actioned a code amber alert.
