British ISIS jihadis ‘creating deadly ricin and anthrax bio-weapons in secret terror labs to poison food and water supplies’
The MI5 warning comes amid mounting fears that the UK is unprepared for basic bio-terror attacks
BRITISH fundamentalists back from Iraq and Syria are trying to make ricin and anthrax in secret terror labs, MI5 sources have said.
The warning comes after Kensington Palace intercepted a “racist” letter addressed to Meghan Markle containing white powder, causing an anthrax scare.
Jihadis who fought with IS in war-torn regions of the Middle East were trained in making the basic but deadly bio-weapons.
It is believed they learnt from online manuals which teach terror tactics with step-by-step guides.
Both ricin and anthrax are deadly poisons which can be made by anyone with basic scientific knowledge, senior MI5 sources told the .
It is feared the terrorists could target supermarkets or contaminate water supplies.
The warning comes amid mounting concerns from security chiefs that the UK is not prepared for bio-terror attacks.
Last night a source told the Star: “We know that al-Qaida terrorists have tried to manufacture ricin in the UK in the past. We now suspect members of IS based in the UK are attempting to do the same.”
They added: “The use of chemical and biological weapons by Islamic State is a threat which is being treated very seriously.
“These are weapons which are relatively easy to manufacture but can have deadly consequences.
“We know that British citizens who fought with IS in Iraq and Syria were trained in a number of terrorist tactics including the development of basic bio-weapons.”
The Royal Family were caught up in an anthrax scare last week after a letter containing mysterious white powder was sent to Prince Harry and fiance Meghan Markle.
The powder was found to be harmless after analysis but the Met Police said they were probing the letter as a “racist” incident.
A force spokesman said: “Officers are also investigating an allegation of malicious communications which relates to the same package, and it is being treated as a racist hate crime.
“The matter is being investigated by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.”
Ricin is a highly toxic, naturally occurring lectin produced in the seeds of a castor oil plant. A dose of purified ricin powder the size of a few grains of table salt can kill an adult human.
Anthrax is an infection caused by Bacillus anthracis bacterium. It causes skin to blister and swell and creates chest pains, fever and shortness of breath if inhaled.
British soldiers on short notice to mobilise will now be vaccinated against anthrax and other deadly diseases, it emerged last week.
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