Several individuals have been charged as part of an investigation led by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command under the new National Security Act, which took effect in December 2023.
This marks the first use of the legislation for arrests and charges.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said:
“This is a highly significant moment and investigation for us. Not only are the charges that have been authorised by the CPS extremely serious, but it is also the first time that we have arrested, and now charged anyone using the powers and legislation brought in under the National Security Act.”
The individuals charged include:
- Dylan James Earl, 20, from Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, charged with aggravated arson, preparatory conduct, and assisting a foreign intelligence service.
- Jake Reeves, 22, from Croydon, South London, charged with aggravated arson and agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service.
- Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, also from Croydon, charged with failing to disclose information to police about terrorist acts.
Two others, Paul English, 60, from Roehampton, and Nii Kojo Mensah, 21, from Thornton Heath, were also charged with aggravated arson related to an incident in London in March.
The foreign state involved in the charges is identified as Russia. Earl appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey. Reeves and Paulauska are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Commander Murphy highlighted the ongoing nature of the investigation and urged the public to respect the criminal justice process without speculating further on the case. He reassured that there is no wider threat to the public in connection with this matter.
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands, Leicestershire Police, Counter Terrorism Policing South East, and Kent Police, reflecting the serious and complex nature of the charges.
Enquiries continue as the authorities work to fully understand and address the implications of these alleged offences.
May-be they could open an investigation in to the ministers responcible for crippling the UKs armed forces.
Indeed, that is the gift to Putin & Xi that keeps giving. I’d have PMs & Chancellors up on treason charges from Cameron onwards.
You can certainly make the logical presumption that Europe cutting its defences, becoming indulgent of Russian actions and influence and the doubts over US commitment to Europe as sponsored by the likes of useful idiots like Taylor Greene just might have encouraged Putin to set out on his adventurism. Yet some still think cutting back on defence spending will bring peace.
I see.. obscure Taylor Green is what tricks Putin, but Obama(Crimeia) and Biden behavior no…
The FSB kompromat has been successful in compromising the bipartisan democratic process in many western countries, both subversion of the public discourse and compromising useful idiots to peddle the Crimlin narrative.
Isolationism being very useful to the terrorist states by helping to prevent them being restrained or held to account.
Empty G being in the useful idiots cult of MAGA along with the deluded narcissistic wannabe dictator who is fully compromised.
And the useful idiots of the woke cult. They’re playing both sides, well, China is. i.e. Wumao.
Agreed. But Why not Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell and Peter Mandelson as well?
I wouldn’t argue much with that, but what I’m focused on is taking already too small forces from Labours time & crashing numbers drastically to such a dire dangerous state today that we’re seriously compromised & very vulnerable, despite all the HMG spin rubbish.
Sure, the Tories from 2010 onwards have made things infinitely worse numbers wise. Just a note of balance. 12 SSN to 7. 35 Escorts to 23 22 Fast Jet Sqns to 12. All courtesy of the Labour government. And just about every RA and armoured program for the army cut, cancelled or deferred. Leading to the need to recapitalise the entire combat capability now as sod all happened between 97 and 2010. The state defence is in has many long lead items, going back way, way beyond the Tories of 2010. And I don’t give a TOSS who is offended… Read more »
Lame.
I’d have them swinging, heels up, from lamp posts.
That’s convenient. Why Cameron onwards, why not before?
Hi Daniele. I’m was critical of all defence cuts since just before the Falklands(indeed cuts were a significant cause of the war), if not earlier, but by c2010 we had a very small armed forces which, despite being deployed on hot ops & in the face of rising Russian & Chinese hostility, Cameron & those following cut mercilessly beyond all reason while throughout claiming the oppposite. That makes our voice very hollow on the world stage, especially as a permanent member of the UN security council. We bring far less to NATO & would struggle to survive a majot attack… Read more »
Agreed.
Yes mate, 23. There were 35 when Labour came in and 23 by the time they left.
With the idiocy of cutting the 4 T22B3s and delays in T26 we have 17, 11 Frigates and 6 Destroyers, of which we know Frigates are really 9 due to the condition of Argyll and Westminster.
Sad state of affairs.
I think we are now at rock bottom and the new ships will see us back at the bare minimum of 19. But we need more.
If this was a true act many British subjects would have been charged already. Starting with some politicians.
Since the First responsibility of the nation state is for Defence, the deliberate subversion of Defence capability must be Treason even if its called Strategic Defence Review or some other civil service approved acronym.
I suppose that adding public fear and doubt makes that a terrorist threat. I believe that the hybrid conflict being pursued by the FSB does make it a terrorist attack.