Security is being stepped up at all overseas postings following the murder in Athens of the British military attache, Brig Stephen Saunders, the Foreign Office said yesterday.
Officials at the Foreign Office confirmed they were "looking again" at security measures in Athens, and arrangements for embassy personnel and those on official business around the world will be reviewed. A spokesman said the Foreign Office would not be discussing the details of any increased security measures "because we just don't talk to third parties. It would be telling the terrorists what we're doing".
Foreign Office investigators and three detectives from Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch arrived in Athens yesterday to assist in the investigation into Brig Saunders's murder.
The Foreign Office has dismissed as "complete nonsense" a report in the Sun which suggested the November 17 terrorist group was targeting the Minister for Defence Procurement, Baroness Symons, who is in Athens to discuss the sale of Challenger 2E tanks to Greece. Security arrangements for Lady Symons, who was liaising with Brig Saunders on the tank project, have been increased since his assassination on Thursday.
As Brig Saunders's wife, Heather, who is from Northern Ireland, spoke about the tragic loss of her husband, her brother, Mr Steve Kell, who lives in England, described Brig Saunders as a peace-loving man who had come under attack while serving in Northern Ireland.
"He was attacked on two or three occasions. He never once drew his weapon and fired," he said. "He loved Northern Ireland. He would have loved to have had the opportunity to have retired there but it would not have been easy for an ex-serviceman. He was always interested in Northern Ireland, having served there and visited as often as he could."