Six men have been arrested in London over a potential threat to the Pope who spent the day in London on his first-ever state visit to the UK.
The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command arrested the five of the men shortly before 6am this morning, after information claimed that Pope Benedict XVI could be in danger.
The men, aged between 26 and 50, work as street cleaners for Veolia Environmental Services, a contractor for the Westminster City Council.
The men, some believed to be of Algerian origin, were arrested during raids on a business in central London under the Terrorism Act 2000.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the business was being searched, as well as homes in north and east London.
“Initial searches have not uncovered any hazardous items,” a Met Police spokesman said.
“Today’s arrests were made after police received information. Following initial inquiries by detectives, a decision was made to arrest the five men.
“There is no change to the UK threat level.”
Channel 4 News understands immigration checks are being carried out the five men, and MI5 is looking whether any have links to al-Qaida affliated groups abroad.
The force later confirmed a sixth man, aged 29, had also been arrested at a home in north London shortly before 2pm. He was arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Westminster City Council praised police for their quick response.
“While police investigations are ongoing and no charges have been brought, we can confirm that the people at the centre of the investigation work for one of our contractors, who employ 650 on-street staff to keep Westminster’s streets clean and free from rubbish,” Westminster Council director for city management, Leith Penny, said.
The Pope’s schedule has not been affected by the threat.
A multimillion-pound operation was put in place to protect the Pope during his tour of Scotland, London and the West Midlands.
A spokesman for the Vatican said the Pope was informed of the threat this morning.
“We have absolute confidence in the security operation to protect both the Pope and the public.
The Pope is enjoying a wonderful visit, warmly welcomed wherever he goes,” Father Federico Lombardi said.
The Pope has met Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams at Lambeth Palace for historic talks.
During the meeting, the Pope called for both the Anglican and Catholic faiths to work together to protect Christian values.
“Ecumenical cooperation remains essential,” he said.
He acknowledged there were difficulties in the ecumenical relationship, but said he was grateful for the “constantly evolving” friendship between the two faiths.
“I give thanks for the deep friendship that has grown between us. There is remarkable progress in the dialogue between us. It has evolved in dramatic ways,” he said.
The Pope then travelled to Westminster Hall to address MPs.
Earlier today, the pontiff addressed thousands of school students at a ‘big assembly’ at St Mary’s University College in Twickenham.
Hundreds of students cheered and waved flags as the pontiff took to the stage for the event, which was set up around the running track of the Catholic college.
But dozens of protesters also gathered outside the gate of St Mary’s to protest against the state visit.
“He always apologises for others, and we think it’s time the Pope himself apologise for his failure to tackle sexual abuse in the church,” Protest the Pope organiser Peter Tatchell said.
The Pope referred to the child abuse scandal, saying schools must provide a “safe environment” for children.
“I wish to add a particular word of appreciation for those whose task it is to ensure that our schools provide a safe environment for children and young people.
“Our responsibility towards those entrusted to us for their Christian formation demands nothing less.
“Indeed, the life of faith can only be effectively nurtured when the prevailing atmosphere is one of respectful and affectionate trust,” he said.
He also warned the students against the limitations of celebrity and the material world.
“Young people people are often encouraged to model themselves on figures from the world of sport and entertainment.
“Happiness is something we all want but one of the great tragedies of this world is that many people never find it because they look for it in the wrong places,” he said.
Earlier, during a prayer service at the St Mary’s College chapel, the pontiff spoke of the importance of Catholic education in upholding moral standards.
“Faith needs to be the driving factor behind every aspect of the school,” he said.
He said education must never be considered as “purely utilitarian” and praised teachers who were devoted to extending Christian values beyond the classroom.
“It is about forming the human person, equipping him or her to live life to the full – in short, it is about imparting wisdom,” he said.
The Pope then presented the school with a gift- a mosaic of the blessed virgin Mary.
The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Nick Anstee, school leaders, and thousands of students greeted the Pope as his motorcade arrived at the school grounds, where he walked through the crowd, shaking hands and blessing young students.
The Pope began the day with mass in Wimbledon, where crowds gathered outside the Chapel of the Apostolic from as early as 6am.
Groups of school children sang hymns, danced and played instruments as the Pope’s motorcade headed towards Twickenham for his next official engagement.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic church in England and Wales, has said: “While he fully on the record recognises the importance in modern democratic societies of institutions being secular, he expects secular institutions to have an open and positive attitude towards religious faith.”
Yesterday, in his address to the Queen, the pontiff warned of a trend towards atheism in society, suggesting it could undermine Christian values.
“More aggressive forms of secularism are now tolerated, but let it not exclude the Christian foundation and impede its freedoms,” he told an audience at Holyrood House.
The start of the Pope’s visit yesterday was overshadowed by comments by Cardinal Walter Kasper, a papal adviser, who told a German magazine that Britain was similar to a “third world” country, and went on to attack “aggressive new atheism” in the UK.