Five men arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of terror offences were UK nationals from London - bbc.com

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the weekend incident at RAF Fairford "clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor"

Speaking to US media, he doesn't give further details but thanks UK authorities for being "co-operative" and "helpful"

Five men arrested on suspicion of terror offences near the base, which is used by the US military, were released on bail on Monday - here's what else we know

The men - all UK nationals in their 20s who live in London - had been arrested under the Explosives Act and on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act

AC Laurence Taylor, the head of UK counter terrorism policing, has said officers are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, including if proxies working on behalf of a foreign state could've been involved - the Iranian embassy in the UK denies involvement

Residents from 85 households evacuated on Sunday have started returning home. With a cordon still in place and roads blocked, they want to know how long the disruption will last, writes our reporter

0:39 Marco Rubio: 'Foreign actor' involved in RAF Fairford incident. 00:00:39, play video Marco Rubio: 'Foreign actor' involved in RAF Fairford incident

0:52 Counter-terror police announce suspects are bailed. 00:00:52, play video Counter-terror police announce suspects are bailed

0:55 Police cordons still in place around RAF Fairford. 00:00:55, play video Police cordons still in place around RAF Fairford

1:03 I saw masked men, farmer who called 999 says. 00:01:03, play video I saw masked men, farmer who called 999 says

1:07 Defence secretary thanks farmer who rang police. 00:01:07, play video Defence secretary thanks farmer who rang police

1:18 At the scene of counter-terrorism operation. 00:01:18, play video At the scene of counter-terrorism operation

0:29 Five arrested were 'looking to do big damage', Trump says. 00:00:29, play video Five arrested were 'looking to do big damage', Trump says

1:38 Five men arrested following reports of 'three suspicious vehicles' near RAF base. 00:01:38, play video Five men arrested following reports of 'three suspicious vehicles' near RAF base

0:23 Aerial footage shows bomb disposal robot inspecting vans. 00:00:23, play video Aerial footage shows bomb disposal robot inspecting vans

0:48 Police told us to leave our home immediately, says local resident. 00:00:48, play video Police told us to leave our home immediately, says local resident

0:39 BBC reports from RAF base after major incident declared. 00:00:39, play video BBC reports from RAF base after major incident declared

0:20 Emergency services attend scene near RAF Fairford. 00:00:20, play video Emergency services attend scene near RAF Fairford

Edited by Steve Mellen, with Marie Lennon reporting from the scene

We're ending our live coverage of the investigation at RAF Fairford.

You'll find the latest ongoing coverage in our story here.

There’s been a steady flow of traffic into and out of the cordons at Fairford and Kempsford.

Residents, delivery drivers and tradespeople have to stop at a checkpoint and explain what they’re doing and where they’re going before they are allowed in.They have been told not to speak to the press or take photos, though it’s not clear why.

The paucity of information at this end and the unexpected amount of detail being given in the US, has allowed the speculation mill to step into overdrive. It means there are many conspiracy theories on social media about what’s happening - with very little to back it up.

Marie Lennon Live page reporter

The people living alongside the airbase in nearby Kempsford have got used to the increase in huge jets flying over, and with them the plane spotters since the Americans started using Fairford as a staging post.

Their main issue is inconsiderate parking and the paths being blocked.

Now they navigate a large cordon which blocks rural roads. A large detour to get to a doctors appointment or visit a friend might be for understandable security reasons, but it’s also a daily inconvenience for villagers.

Their question is - how long will these roads be closed?

It has been the focus of international attention since events began unfolding near its perimeter in the early hours of Sunday morning, but why is the Gloucestershire base so important?

From its opening in 1944, through the Cold War and up to the present day, here is why this small piece of the Cotswolds has been so important to both the UK and US military., external