Terrorism

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In coverage on 3 October 2026, BBC News and Sky News reported on terrorism-related developments. Sky News reported that Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, had been charged with preparing acts of terrorism, including activity directed against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Sky News said the charge covered alleged activity between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026, and that Kerry had previously been charged with the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe in July after she was found dead at her home in Dartmoor. Sky News treated the terrorism charge as separate from the murder case. BBC News reported that Joshua Kerry would appear in court next Wednesday and that the fallout from Ann Widdecombe's killing had renewed questions about whether enough is being done to protect people in public life, after the murders of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess. Sky News said Kerry was due at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Both channels also reported that two Iranian nationals had been charged with terrorism offences over an alleged plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester. BBC News named them as Salehi Rahman, 35, from Salford, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36. Sky News named them as Salaam Ahmadyan and Ramad Salehi. Both channels reported that the Home Secretary said the men came to the UK on small boats, one in 2020 and the other in 2023. BBC News said both had arrived illegally by small boat, and that one had asylum while the other was seeking asylum. Sky News said they were arrested by counter-terror police on 20 September, the eve of Yom Kippur, while BBC News said they had been arrested last month. BBC News said they were charged with preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism, and that police alleged they tried to acquire materials for an improvised explosive device and carried out research and reconnaissance on potential targets. BBC News also said the two men were alleged to have been in contact with another man thought to be in Iran. BBC News reported the two men were due in court in London later that day. Sky News reported that Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said the charges were extremely serious and arose from a joint counter-terrorism investigation with security services that had disrupted what was believed to be a plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester. Sky News also reported that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the news would be deeply distressing for Jewish communities, especially in Manchester, as the one-year anniversary of the Heaton Park synagogue attack was marked. BBC News noted that the charges came on the first anniversary of the Heaton Park synagogue attack in Manchester, when two Jewish men were killed on Yom Kippur attending synagogue last year. BBC News also said police and politicians had said they were doing all they could to protect the Jewish community.

Key Claims by Channel

Monday 13 July 2026

Claim
Reported by all 3 channels
12 people were arrested by counter-terrorism police in connection with an alleged right-wing terror threat; eight men were arrested under the Terrorism Act, three on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, and a woman on suspicion of assisting an offender; those arrested were aged 27 to 82 from Suffolk, London, and Greater Manchester.	Reported by BBC One
An Islamic event called Ijtma at Shrubland Hall in Suffolk, attended by around 10,000 to 15,000 Muslims, was ended early on police advice due to a credible threat.	Reported by BBC One
Reported by a few · 2 channels
The Prime Minister described the news as shocking and said he would not tolerate attacks on Muslim communities; the Home Secretary described the incident as deeply concerning.	Reported by BBC One	Reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV
Only on one channel
The head of Counterterrorism Police in London declared a major incident.	Not reported by BBC One		Not reported by ITV
MI5 stated that while Islamist terrorism remains the primary threat, right-wing extremism has been steadily rising.	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4

Thursday 23 July 2026

Claim
Widely reported · 4 or more of 5 channels
Mohammed Bashir was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years for his role in a terror plot.	Reported by Channel 5		Not reported by Channel 4
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson apologised for failing to search Alshami's mobile phones before the attack.	Reported by Channel 5		Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by ITV
Alshami's phones were seized during arrests for unrelated offences including rape, but were not examined before the attack.	Not reported by Channel 5				Reported by Sky News
Reported by a few · 2–3 channels
Bashir drove Alshami to a Ministry of Defence site at Shrivenham on 14 August 2025 for hostile reconnaissance.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One		Reported by ITV
Alshami attacked the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on 2 October 2025 during Yom Kippur, causing the death of two people and himself.	Not reported by Channel 5		Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by ITV
The phones contained evidence of Alshami's extremist views and his plans with Bashir.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4		Reported by Sky News
The apology was made public only after Bashir's criminal proceedings concluded.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
CCTV footage showed Bashir and Alshami together in a mosque planning the attack.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
The two men planned to target the UK Defence Academy because they believed it was training Israeli Defence Forces soldiers.	Reported by Channel 5		Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV
Jihad Alshami was on bail for an alleged rape when he carried out the synagogue attack.	Not reported by Channel 5		Not reported by Channel 4		Not reported by Sky News
Only on one channel
Bashir pleaded guilty on 5 June 2026 after the prosecution served CCTV footage with audio from 9 August 2025.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV
Bashir and Alshami were members of a WhatsApp group called 'aspiring to the ranks of the elite' where they shared extremist views.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
Alshami made notes on his phone about security at the Defence Academy in a file titled 'Espionage'.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
Bashir was arrested at Manchester Airport on 27 November 2025 after returning from a family wedding in Pakistan.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
The judge described Bashir and Alshami as equally engaged and enthusiastic men planning an atrocity.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
Police had no prior suspicion of Alshami being involved in extremism.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4		Not reported by Sky News

Friday 21 August 2026

Claim
Widely reported · 3 or more of 4 channels
A national day of recognition for terror attack victims and survivors is the first of its kind.			Not reported by Channel 4
Reported by a few · 2 channels
A report co-authored by Brendan Cox found that terror attack survivors are being failed on a wide scale.			Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV
Survivors described the compensation scheme as dehumanising, unfit for purpose, and in need of an overhaul.	Not reported by Channel 5			Not reported by ITV
The Prime Minister said he would look into creating a national memorial and consult on a permanent one.	Not reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by ITV
Survivors said the government should support citizens affected by terror and that they should receive automatic help.	Reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by ITV
Only on one channel
The day aims to ensure those affected by terrorism are not forgotten and to raise awareness about preventing terrorist attacks.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4
Families and survivors from the 7/7 bombings, Lockerbie, 9/11, and the Manchester Arena bombing attended the event.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by ITV
Thelma Stober, impacted by the 7/7 bombings, spoke about the importance of remembrance and long-term support.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by ITV
Survivors called for more compensation and support for victims of terrorism.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4
Security Minister Dan Jarvis attended the event.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by ITV
The day is planned to be held in a different UK city each year.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4
The government paid more than £180 million to victims of violent crime, including terrorism, last year.	Not reported by Channel 5		Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV
The idea for the national day came after a Home Office review found many survivors needed more support.	Not reported by Channel 5		Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV
The Prime Minister spoke at the event.	Reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV
Figen Murray campaigned for Martin's Law, which would require public venues to have emergency and security measures.	Reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by ITV
A two-minute silence will be observed every year as part of the national day.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One		Not reported by ITV
A report by Survivors Against Terror urged the government to do more for survivors.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One		Not reported by ITV
The Prime Minister said he would fight for survivors.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One		Not reported by ITV

Saturday 3 October 2026

Claim
Reported by all 2 channels
Joshua Kerry is due in court on Wednesday, with Sky News reporting the hearing will be at Westminster Magistrates Court.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by Sky News
Two Iranian nationals were charged with terrorism offences, including preparing or assisting acts of terrorism, over an alleged plot against Manchester's Jewish community.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by Sky News
The two Iranian nationals were named by broadcasters, with BBC News citing Salehi Rahman, 35, from Salford, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, while Sky News gave the names Salaam Ahmadyan and Ramad Salehi.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by Sky News
The Home Secretary said the two Iranian nationals arrived in the UK on small boats in 2020 and 2023; BBC News reported one had asylum and the other was seeking asylum.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by Sky News
The two Iranian nationals were arrested last month, with Sky News saying the date was 20 September, the eve of Yom Kippur.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by Sky News
Only on one channel
Joshua Kerry, 28, of Rotherham, faces a charge of preparing acts of terrorism, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.	Not reported by BBC News	Reported by Sky News
Joshua Kerry was previously charged with murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead at her Dartmoor home, in a case separate from the terrorism charge.	Not reported by BBC News	Reported by Sky News
Ann Widdecombe's killing renewed questions about protections for people in public life, after the murders of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess.	Reported by BBC News	Not reported by Sky News
Police alleged the two Iranian nationals sought materials for an improvised explosive device and researched and scouted potential targets.	Reported by BBC News	Not reported by Sky News
The two men were alleged to have contacted another man believed to be in Iran.	Reported by BBC News	Not reported by Sky News
The two Iranian nationals were due to appear in a London court later that day.	Reported by BBC News	Not reported by Sky News
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said the charges were extremely serious and followed a joint counter-terrorism investigation with security services that disrupted an alleged plot against Manchester's Jewish community.	Not reported by BBC News	Reported by Sky News
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the news would be deeply distressing for Jewish communities, especially in Manchester, after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and as the Heaton Park synagogue attack anniversary was marked.	Not reported by BBC News	Reported by Sky News
The charges came on the first anniversary of the Heaton Park synagogue attack in Manchester, in which two Jewish men were killed on Yom Kippur while attending synagogue last year.	Reported by BBC News	Not reported by Sky News
Police and politicians said they were doing everything possible to protect the Jewish community.	Reported by BBC News	Not reported by Sky News

This is a cross-channel consensus summary, not an objective account. Consensus can be uniformly wrong, or omit what only one channel covered.