U.K. Is Not Ready for Dirty Bomb Attack, Official Says

A lack of experience and resources undermines a British security plan to protect the United Kingdom against a radiological, or “dirty bomb,” attack, according to a leaked letter from government efficiency adviser Peter Gershon, the Financial Times reported today (see GSN, Aug. 5, 2002).

Gershon, in a March 11 letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, said limited resources are hampering the plan to put up defensive shields at British ports and airports to prevent terrorists from smuggling radioactive material. He asked Blair to warn the British home secretary of his concerns.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said there should be a balance between warning the public of such terrorism dangers and making people “jumpy,” according to the Financial Times (Christopher Adams, Financial Times, March 29).

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