The Rest Is Classified 62. Terror Strikes London: 7/7 (Ep 1)
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Jul 6, 2025 On a bright summer morning, London's celebration over winning the 2012 Olympics quickly turned to horror as devastating explosions rocked the city. The podcast delves into the chaos as MI5 grappled with the unfolding crisis, raising questions about possible intelligence failures. As the investigation progressed, it revealed the shocking truth: the attackers were from within Britain. The episode not only recounts the tragic events of 7/7 but also explores the broader implications for national security and counterterrorism efforts.
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Unexpected News Surprises MI5
- Gordon Corera described calling MI5 during the unfolding attack to seek information.
- A live report about a bus roof blowing off startled his MI5 contact, showing the chaos inside agencies.
MI5's Limited Counterterror Staff
- MI5 had about 2000 staff in 2005 focusing on terrorism, but only a few dozen on Islamist threats.
- This staffing level was small given the growing terror threat around that time.
Lower Threat Level Preceded Attacks
- The UK's terrorism threat level had been downgraded shortly before 7/7, lowering expectations of an attack.
- This decrease contributed to the shock when the attacks happened unexpectedly.