TRUMP SAYS THREAT PROMPTED BOMBER WITHDRAWAL FROM RAF FAIRFORD

Donald Trump has said the United States withdrew its bomber aircraft from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after what he described as a specific threat. Trump said the move followed what he called a foiled terror plot, though he gave no further detail on its nature. He did not say how many aircraft were withdrawn or when the move took place. Trump's remarks are, so far, the only account of why the bombers left the base. No UK government department or the Royal Air Force has issued a separate confirmation of the withdrawal alongside his comments.

RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire, has previously been used by the US Air Force to station long-range bomber aircraft as part of its presence in Britain. One account attributed to Trump referred to "a specific threat" behind the withdrawal, while another report quoting him described the cause as "some threats", without making clear whether this meant the same threat or several separate ones. Trump did not name those he said were behind the alleged plot, nor did he say whether anyone had been arrested. No further detail was given on how the plot was said to have been foiled or by which agency. The difference between the two accounts of the threat has not been resolved publicly.

Trump has not set out a timetable for any return of bomber aircraft to RAF Fairford. No statement has been attributed to the US Department of defence or the Ministry of Defence confirming or expanding on his account. It remains unclear whether any investigation into the alleged plot is continuing. Trump's comments stand as the sole public confirmation of both the threat and the decision to move the aircraft.