Evidence shows firebombing of Dover immigration centre motivated by right-wing terrorist ideology

The firebombing of an immigration centre in Dover was motivated by terrorist ideology, police have confirmed.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East has confirmed they have recovered evidence indicating that the incident was ‘motivated by a terrorist ideology’.

The incident, which took place on October 30, saw three petrol bombs being thrown towards Manston processing centre before the perpetrator took his own life.

Andrew Leak, 66, from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, is believed to have killed himself after throwing two or three ‘crude’ incendiary devices at the Western Jet Foil site, in Kent, last Sunday.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said on Saturday evidence has been recovered that indicates the attack ‘was motivated by a terrorist ideology’.

‘A number of significant witnesses have been spoken to during the course of the investigation and a number of items of interest have been recovered, including digital media devices,’ a statement said.

‘Evidence from examining these items suggests there was an extreme right wing motivation behind the attack.’

Police said there is no evidence Leak was working with anyone else or there is any wider threat to the public.

The man responsible was said to be a suspected paedophile who had threatened to kill himself while being questioned by police. 

Police previously raided a High Wycombe property after the petrol bomber drove ‘more than 100 miles’ to lob three home-made explosives at the Western Jet Foil centre after ‘carrying out a recce’ the night before the attack.

Kent Police and Thames Valley Police began searching the Buckinghamshire property after confirming that the Dover migrant centre firebomber was from the area.

The man, who was 66, was seen by port security driving past the centre on the dockside several times the night before the attack.

This story is being updated.