US lifts ban on entering London

THE US Air Force yesterday lifted a ban on its personnel entering London following last week’s terror attacks.

The move followed criticism from police, politicians and tourism officials in the capital.

About 10,000 US servicemen and women based at two RAF stations in Suffolk were given the order not to go inside the M25 which surrounds the city after the bombs brought London to a standstill on Thursday.

The directive, issued on Thursday, was considered by the US authorities to be the most effective measure to protect their troops.

Personnel were told not to enter the capital until further notice, except on official business, and their families were encouraged to do the same.

But the move was roundly condemned across the capital. London transport commissioner and US citizen Bob Kiley said the directive had been in place too long.

“Maybe the instruction had some logic to it on Friday when it was given on Thursday, but inasmuch as that order is still in effect now, there’s a major or a colonel or a brigadier general whose future is very much at stake as we speak. Not smart,” the former CIA agent said.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair had said he was “disappointed” with the decision.

“I am sure the American military will change it because they stand shoulder to shoulder with us,” he said.

“I am disappointed, but I do understand it is their decision, not mine.”

Conservative defence spokesman Andrew Robathan said the order sent out all the wrong messages about London being a place to visit for tourism.

Later, the highest ranking US Air Force officer in Britain, Major General Michael Gould, maintained that the US was standing by Britain on the war on terror.