2000 MI6 attack

MI6 attack
Location	Vauxhall,Lambeth,London
Coordinates
Date	20 September 2000(2000-09-20) 21:45 (BST)
Target	SIS Building
Attack type	Anti-tank rocket
Weapons	Russian-builtRPG-22
Deaths	0
Injured	0
Perpetrators	Real IRA

On Wednesday 20 September 2000, theReal Irish Republican Army(RIRA) carried out an attack onMI6'sSIS Buildingheadquarters inVauxhall,Lambeth,London. A Russian-builtRPG-22anti-tank rocket, fired 300 metres (330 yards) away from MI6 headquarters, struck the building on the south side of the eighth floor, causing superficial damage. No fatalities or injuries were recorded.

Although London had been the target of terrorist attacks before 2000, it had not been subjected to arocket launcherattack; this was the first time a RPG-22 rocket launcher was seen and used in Great Britain. It was initially thought the Real IRA acquired the launchers from theProvisional IRA's arsenal, but later confirmed it was brought fromYugoslavia.The "audacious" attack caused minimal damage due to the building's bullet-proof and bomb-proof structure, failing to penetrate the innercladding.

At the time of the attack, the constituency ofSouth Antrimwas preparing for aby-electionto be held the following day; it was won by Democratic UnionistWilliam McCrea,who defeated Ulster UnionistDavid Burnside.

Background

TheSIS building,headquarters of MI6

London had been the target of a similar attack in 1991 when anIRAmortar shellwas fired at10 Downing Streetand exploded during a cabinet meeting held by then Prime MinisterJohn Major.Before the Real IRA's MI6 attack,Hammersmith Bridgewas damaged by a small bomb blast in June 2000, resulting in the bridge requiring renovation.A further planting of a bomb occurred nearEaling Broadway stationin July 2000.

A by-election in the constituency ofSouth Antrimwas scheduled to be held the day after the attack. Democratic UnionistWilliam McCreawas elected with 37.95% of the votes, defeating fellow candidates Ulster UnionistDavid Burnside,Donovan McClellandof theSocial Democratic and Labour Party,Martin MeehanofSinn Féin,David Fordof theAlliance Party of Northern IrelandandDavid Collinsof theNatural Law Party.

Details of the attack

Three members of the RIRA went into an area ofVauxhall Gardensand used a grassy knoll to fire their 2.8 kg RPG-22 missile about 300 metres away from the SIS Building.At 21:45 the grenade caused damage to a green plated glass window, metres below sensitive satellite equipment on the building's roof which was believed to be the main target.The force of the explosion was felt by people who were in underground stations and in nearby cars.

Reaction

The attack was condemned by the Deputy Assistant Commissioner and head of the Anti-Terrorist Branch of theMetropolitan PoliceAlan Fry as an "audacious attack in a busy part of London".Security procedures at the SIS Building were reviewed by the British Government in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police.

Police sealed off an area between Vauxhall and Lambeth bridges to allow further investigations to occur.Services fromWaterloo stationwere cancelled until the mid-afternoon on 21 September.

Investigation

A discarded launcher was discovered in Vauxhall Gardens, along with remnants of the rocket.In an effort to trace the source of the RPG-22, security officers analysed the serial number located on the rocket launcher, which was identified to have originated from a cache of weapons inCroatia.A stockpile of RPG-22s were ordered by the Real IRA in July 2000 and were seized by Croatian police.

Police in London conducted afingertip searchof nearby railway lines running into Waterloo station, which promoted speculation that the missile was fired from railway lines. There were extensive searches around the area of the SIS Building.

See also

• 2001 Ealing bombing
• 2001 Birmingham bombing