Terrorist attack 'highly likely' in UK: Intelligence agencies

British security services have warned that a terrorist attack in the country is "highly likely” following attacks in other parts of Europe.

"The threat level currently stands at SEVERE (sic), which means that an attack in the UK is highly likely," read a writing argument by James Eadie QC for the security services.

He presented his argument before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London as Britain's intelligence agencies were defending themselves against allegations of mass collection of communications data and UK citizens' personal information without proper legal safeguards.

In the latest terrorist attacks in Europe, two knife-wielding men interrupted a French church service on Tuesday, took a number of people hostage and killed an 85-year-old priest.

The two assailants were later shot and killed by police officers. After the incident, Amaq news agency, which is affiliated to the Takfiri terrorist group, announced that two of its members had carried out the attack.

SS