London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, May 31, 2025

Dover migrant centre attack driven by right-wing ideology - police

Dover migrant centre attack driven by right-wing ideology - police

The firebombing of an immigration processing centre was motivated by extreme right-wing terrorist ideology, police have said.

Andrew Leak, 66, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, threw up to three incendiary devices at the site in Dover, Kent, last Sunday.

He is believed to have later taken his own life.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said evidence showed it "was motivated by a terrorist ideology".

Tim Jacques, senior national co-ordinator for counter terrorism policing, said: "After considering the evidence collected so far, whilst there are strong indications that mental health was likely a factor, I am satisfied that the suspect's actions were primarily driven by an extremist ideology.

"This meets the threshold for a terrorist incident."

Leak was not known to counter-terrorism police before the attack, CPTSE confirmed. It is understood he was also not known to the security services.

A now-deleted Facebook account apparently in Leak's name contained anti-Muslim sentiments.

Police identified the man who carried out the attack as Andrew Leak, 66, from High Wycombe


Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper tweeted: "Very serious that far right extremism drove this attack.

"I remain concerned that it took so long for counter terror police to take lead on this case - something I urged Home Secretary to pursue on Monday."

"There must be highest vigilance on potential terror or extremist attacks.

The Home Office has declined to comment.

Two members of staff at the centre were left with minor injuries after police were called at 11:22 GMT on Sunday morning.

Following the attack about 700 migrants were transferred from Dover to the processing centre at Manston, where overcrowded conditions had already been severely criticised by government inspectors.

A police statement on Saturday said: "A number of significant witnesses have been spoken to during the course of the investigation and a number of items of interest have been recovered, including digital media devices.

"Evidence from examining these items suggests there was an extreme right-wing motivation behind the attack."

A Facebook account apparently belonging to Leak contained several anti-Muslim posts


Police added there was nothing to suggest Leak had been working alongside anyone else and there was not believed to be any wider threat to the public.

They said the investigation was ongoing, including work being carried out on behalf of the coroner.

An inquest into Leak's death is expected to be opened at County Hall in Maidstone on Tuesday.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×