Exclusive

Trump assassination bid was a ‘serious failure’ by US Secret Service, ex-MI6 chief tells LBC

4 September 2024, 11:05 | Updated: 4 September 2024, 11:36

Former MI6 Chief criticizes Secret Service over Trump assassination attempt

By Danielle de Wolfe

The former head of MI6 has exclusively told LBC that the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was a "serious failure" on the part of the US Secret Service.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking with Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, Sir Tom Sawers reflected on the recent assassination attempt on the former president, explaining that it was 'pretty obvious" Donald Trump was "going to be target".

"Had he succeeded, it would have been dreadful for American politics," he explained.

"It would have inserted violence back into the political process and it would have become very ugly."

The comments follow a serious breach of security during Trump's Pennsylvania rally on July 13.

The incident saw suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks allegedly open fire on the former president with an AR-style rifle as he addressed the crowd.

Former MI6 Chief joins Nick Ferrari and takes your calls | Watch Again

"These are the guards and guns that surround senior American politicians, it was obviously a failure on their part," the former MI6 chief continued, highlighting the importance of US security personnel.

"I never got involved in that personal protection business - I often had personal protection when I was travelling in war zones and so on - and I know that the lengths the personal protection people go to."

Sawers, the former chief of UK Secret Intelligence Service, was among a handful of personnel to hold the UK's highest security clearance.

During his career, the chief has stood as the UK’s ambassador to the United Nations, political director of the Foreign Office and spoke before the Joint Intelligence Committee, prior to leading MI6

"But you’d have thought it was pretty obvious that Donald Trump was going to be target for a would-be assassin," he explained.

Read more: Trump gunman researched Royal family member during planning for assassination attempt

Read more: 'I'm not supposed to be here': Emotional Donald Trump recounts assassination attempt in first speech since shooting

"The fact that the bullets got as close as they did to him meant there was a serious failure on the part of the Secret Service, there’s no doubt about it."

Adding: "So, whilst I have no time for Donald Trump, I’m really glad that assassin didn’t succeed,"

It comes as Keir Starmer declared Labour the party of national security in June prior to Labour coming to power.

Last week the Home Secretary announced plans to boost Britain’s border security in a bid to tackle gangs, with cross-Channel smuggling numbers reaching an all-time high.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Chocolate prices are up by almost half in just three years, as extreme weather affects major cocoa producers.

Chocolate prices up by nearly 50 percent since 2022 as extreme weather blamed for 'Chocflation'

GPs across England are expected to receive a £20 bonus for each patient they decide not to send to hospital as NHS strives to cut waiting lists.

GPs in England will be able to claim £20 'bonus' for keeping patients out of hospital in bid to cut NHS waiting lists

The royal family have a number of Easter traditions

King Charles and the royal family's Easter traditions revealed

Abu Wadee

Hamas supporter who called for slaughter of Jewish people live-streamed illegal arrival into UK on small boat

Signpost with directions to a public toilet in Brighton UK

Trans employees could be asked to use disabled toilets at work following Supreme Court ruling on definition of woman

British Transport Police has changed its guidelines following the Supreme Court ruling.

First police force changes search guidelines for trans women in wake of Supreme Court gender ruling

Rebecca Richardson should not be extradited to Turkey because she has depression, magistrates heard

British Teacher accused of sexually assaulting child in Turkey faces extradition

The scene on the A1 after a crash involving a number of police cars

Man charged after police chase crash which injured seven officers

JD Sports has announced that it will shutter 50 branches next year.

UK high street sports giant with 4,800 stores globally to close 50 branches next year

A couple raises their pints of beer on a warm sunny morning...

Are pubs open over Easter weekend? Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday opening times revealed

Madeleine McCann

Madeleine McCann cops given extra £108k as search continues for missing Brit 18 years on

A nurse showing comforting her patient after getting bad news.

Men with cancer ‘less likely to reach out for support’, charity reveals

Felling Of Ancient Oak In North London Park Prompts Outrage And Threats Of Legal Action

'We cannot undo what has been done': Toby Carvery 'sorry' after sparking outrage over felling of ancient oak tree

Russia launches drone attack on Ukraine's Dnipro

Russia launches wave of strikes on Ukraine, killing two children, ahead of crucial ceasefire talks

JK Rowling conjures up the A-Team as she celebrates yesterday's Supreme Court ruling on what are women

'I love it when a plan comes together': JK Rowling channels the A Team as she celebrates Supreme Court victory

Anthony Rudd, from Salisbury, lost £1,000 worth of tools after a person offered to buy them using an app which mimics legitimate mobile banking platforms

'I've lost faith in humanity': Scammers using fake banking app to steal thousands of pounds from victims