US now warns terror attack on Britain is 'highly likely' just hours after UK raised threat level to 'severe'

The US embassy in Britain has warned Americans an attack on the UK is "highly likely" - just hours after security chiefs raised the country's threat level to "severe".

An attack is highly likely within the next six months following an increase in "Islamist and extreme right-wing ideology" in the UK, British counter-terror bosses said on Thursday.

And last night, the US embassy issued a security alert cautioning its citizens to stay safe.

In particular, Americans are told to stay alert in public places including schools, hospitals, churches, tourist hotspots and transport hubs.

"Vary your travel routes and times to reduce predictability," it adds, and calls on people to keep a "low profile".

The American warning is based on the threat level assessments made by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (Jtac) - part of MI5.

Jtac says Islamist terrorism "remains the primary threat to the UK" - though also cautions that "extreme right-wing terrorism" is steadily rising.

Gary Mond, the chairman of the Reform Jewish Alliance, told GB News his community was under threat from "militant Islamists acting on the orders of the Government in Iran" as well as "many illegal immigrants".

"Severe" is the second-highest level on Jtac's five-point scale, meaning a terrorist incident is likely.

"Critical", its highest level, suggests an attack is imminent.

The last time Britain's threat level was raised to severe was in 2021, when Conservative MP Sir David Amess was murdered by an Islamist in Essex and a bomb was set off outside Liverpool Women's Hospital by an asylum seeker.

It was then downgraded to "substantial" in February 2022.

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After its up-rating, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley urged Britons: "Be alert, but don’t be alarmed".

Though he also said he was "concerned" about the scale of upcoming protests in the capital - and said police are looking at what conditions and powers should be used in respect of those events.

The Prime Minister has now condemned the use of the pro-Palestine phrase "globalise the intifada" amid fears for Britain's Jewish community.

The American Jewish Committee confirms the phrase means "aggressive resistance against Israel and those who support Israel".

But pro-Palestine activists claim it means a call for international solidarity, boycott, and peaceful protest against Israel.

The Jewish state has seen two intifadas in its history, both of which have involved violent protest and deadly terrorist attacks.

Speaking to the BBC this morning, the PM said: "If you are on a march or a protest where people are chanting: 'globalise the intifada,' you do have to stop and ask yourself: 'Why am I not calling this out? Why am I on a march where this is the chant?'"

He added: "I'm not saying, of course, that there aren't very strong legitimate views about the Middle East, about Gaza.

"We all have deep concerns about it. This Government has recognised Palestine just last year. So, of course, there are important issues," he added.