WorldWEIRD HOUR

MI5 chief says suspected Iranian plot to hit RAF Fairford is 'not…

The MI5 director general says Iran and Russia are both expanding attacks on Britain, and the September plot targeted a U.S.-run base; the cream tea stays.

On air: Chip Darnell on Late Night BBN
Published 10:05 PM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

At a glance

First reported by The Washington Times: “MI5 chief says suspected Iranian plot to hit RAF Fairford is 'not unique'”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 10:05 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Chip Darnell.
Topics: MI5, Iranian.
BBN covered this story before: MI5 chief warns against overstating Russian Brexit meddling (October 13).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The Washington TimesMI5 chief says suspected Iranian plot to hit RAF Fairford is 'not unique'

What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorMI5's director general said today that a suspected Iranian plot against RAF Fairford is not unique, and that both Iran and Russia are expanding attacks on Britain.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorJoining us from a gift shop beside that very base is Cornelius Haverbrook, who runs the Fairford Heritage Airfield Tours and Cream Teas.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorCornelius, how worried are you?
Cornelius HaverbrookDeeply concerned, Chip, and also bookings are up.
Cornelius HaverbrookStrictly for the scenery, people now stand at the fence with very long lenses and write down tail numbers.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorTail numbers?
Cornelius HaverbrookStrictly for the scenery!
Cornelius HaverbrookOur laminated map marks the runway, the hangars and, in a lovely cream tea stain, the exact spot where the fuel goes.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorLet me ask you plainly: a spy chief says foreign governments are targeting that base, and you sell people a map of it with jam.
Cornelius HaverbrookThe jam is optional.
Cornelius HaverbrookAnd nobody has ever been refused a scone for asking about the fence, which is a policy we are reviewing, strictly for the scenery.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorYou're reviewing the scone policy because of a suspected plot?
Cornelius HaverbrookWe are a family business, Chip.
Cornelius HaverbrookIf Tehran wants to attack Britain, fine, but they will not do it before the summer season, strictly for the scenery.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHere is my honest ranking: a foreign plot against an air base is the dinosaur skeleton of news stories, huge, scary, and I would not order it with fries.
Cornelius HaverbrookIs there a side of bones? Because I could do a bone-in cream tea. Strictly for the scenery, it would be a tremendous product.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIt would not be, and MI5 would like a word with you about the map.
Cornelius HaverbrookThey can have the map. It is thirteen pounds, but I'll throw in the tea, and they'll need to bring their own binoculars.