William Hague: Britain at risk

Published on Sunday 24 July 2011 20:18

Foreign Secretary William Hague has warned that Britain's security forces may not be able to stop a Norway-style terrorist attack.

Mr Hague said it was harder to prevent atrocities by determined individuals than sophisticated networks such as al-Qaeda.

Mr Hague praised the "tremendous work" of the police and intelligence services in keeping the country safe.

He said the government had put expertise from crimes such as the 7 July bombings at the disposal of the Norwegian authorities.

Al-Qaeda was still the "single biggest threat" to the West, even though the attacks in Oslo and Utya did not appear to be part of an "international conspiracy".

"You have to have as many defences in place as you possibly can. But even then of course, you cannot guarantee being able to prevent every attack or every kind of attack," he said.