Speaking in relation to the claims in the Irish News earlier this morning Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP commented:
While these were small, crude devices, those who sent them demonstrated a blatant disregard for the safety of those armed forces personnel and others who could have been injured by these reckless attacks. Vigilance remains essential in case further devices are sent by these so called terrorists.
This Government takes the threat from terrorism very seriously. Northern Ireland Related Terrorism is a Tier 1 risk in the National Security Strategy – which means that tackling it is of the highest priority.
Investigations are still at an early stage and we must be careful to allow the authorities time to establish the facts. Security partners in GB, NI (and ROI) are working in co-operation to identify those responsible and seek to bring them to justice.