Blunkett moves to reassure public as al-Qaida militants ‘go on run’

BRITISH Home Secretary David Blunkett moved to reassure the public last night after unconfirmed reports that five al-Qaida militants were on the run.

Mr Blunkett said the country was “maintaining a state of heightened readiness”, although he made no specific comment on reports that members of a terror cell escaped capture during police raids earlier this week.

“We are maintaining a state of heightened readiness and taking every feasible precautionary measure to protect British citizens, both here and abroad, consistent with the level of threat,” said the Home Secretary.