The FBI has disrupted a plot to attack a high-profile UFC event at the White House involving snipers, according to sources familiar with the investigation. The plot, which targeted a gathering of senior administration officials and foreign dignitaries, was uncovered through a joint operation involving British intelligence agencies sharing counter-terror protocols.
Details remain scarce, but Whitehall sources confirm that MI5 and GCHQ provided critical intelligence that helped US authorities intercept the threat. The collaboration underscores the deepening of the 'Five Eyes' intelligence alliance under pressure from global terrorism.
Downing Street is expected to address the cooperation later today. The Prime Minister's office has praised the 'swift and decisive' action by both countries' security services. However, questions are being asked about how such a plot could have reached an advanced stage without detection earlier.
Inside the White House, there is a palpable sense of relief. The event was set to be a showcase of soft power, combining sports diplomacy with political networking. A senior US official described the plot as 'the most serious threat to the White House since 9/11'.
For now, the identity of the suspects and their affiliations remain unknown. But the revelation that snipers were involved will raise concerns about the vulnerability of high-profile outdoor events. The UK's own experience with the IRA's sniper attacks in the 1990s has informed some of the counter-measures now being adopted.
This is a developing story. More details to follow.
