UK Terror Tidal Wave

UK faces 'wave' of terror plots

Britain faces a "wave" of terrorist plots, prepared strategically and directed from abroad by al-Qaeda, Home Secretary John Reid has told the BBC.

He agreed with MI5 head Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller's assessment that there were 30 major plots, and said an attack in the UK was "highly likely".

New counter-terrorism laws are expected to be among a raft of Home Office Bills at the heart of the Queen's Speech.

Counter-terrorism officials have said Britain is al-Qaeda's top target.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Reid said Dame Eliza had provided a "salutary warning".

'Great threat'

"It is a very great threat. It means that a terrorist attack in the United Kingdom is highly likely," he said.

The government had no information to suggest an imminent attack, he said, but were aware of 30 plots which were "ongoing" and had potential, he said.

"Whereas we thought this was probably haphazard some time ago, they do look as though they are being directed from abroad, specifically by elements of al-Qaeda," he said.

"They look as though they are being prepared strategically and that is that they fit into a pattern... it looks as though there's a wave of such things".