US under pressure over Air Force London ban

British Defence Secretary John Reid said the decision was currently under review and insisted the US had offered its full “unstinting” support.

“Having spoken to the embassy, we understand that it is being urgently reviewed,” he said.

“It was a local decision taken by a local initiative temporarily and in the immediate aftermath of last Thursday’s bombings.

“From the first moment, the US has offered its unstinting support.

“London is open for business. We believe people wherever possible should get back to normal and go to work.

“It should be business as usual with some delays but everyone should remain vigilant.”

Mr Reid said he had received a telephone call from his US defence counterpart, Donald Rumsfeld, offering every assistance.

Help was forthcoming from the FBI and numerous other security agencies, he added.

The directive, issued on Thursday, was considered by the US authorities to be the most effective measure to protect their troops.

Personnel were told not to go within the M25 until further notice, except on official business, and their families were encouraged to do the same.

Matt Tulis, a spokesman at RAF Mildenhall, said: “We are concerned about the safety of our folks and are trying to do what we can to protect them.

“This is the best course of action right now.”

Mr Tulis said the instruction was also issued to give the British authorities and officials the chance to “do their job” in the aftermath of the atrocity.

The instruction involved around 5,000 service personnel based at RAF Mildenhall and a further 5,000 based at RAF Lakenheath.

Staff Sergeant Jeff Hamm, at RAF Lakenheath, said: “Obviously it is in the interests of the air force to ensure its personnel are as vigilant and as safe as possible.”

Defending the decision to stay away, he said: “While it’s important for some to carry on business as usual, the interests in keeping the air force out of harm’s way until we have a bit more knowledge about what has happened is greater than the need to send them back into the city.”

But David Johnson, the charge d’affaires at the American Embassy in London, said he would not be surprised if changes to the order were made today.

“Last week, when the incidents took place, US military here in London – both the Navy and Air Force – decided to ask their personnel to stay away from places which might be unsafe,” he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

“The Navy have gone back to the status quo ante and their personnel who work in central London are at work as we speak.

“The Air Force is evaluating this during the course of the day. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were changes.”

Mr Johnson stressed that the US Embassy was not advising American citizens to steer clear of the capital.

“The advice we are providing to Americans is that you should go about your business in London and you should be aware of your surroundings,” he said.

American figures using the public transport include Tim O’Toole, managing director of the London Underground, who made a point of taking the Tube yesterday.

There was criticism of the US order from tourism officials and politicians.

Conservative defence spokesman Andrew Robathan told the Today programme: “I have to say I would rescind it immediately, because it sends out all the wrong messages about London being a place to visit for tourism or whatever.

“It sends out the message, contrary to everything we have been saying and George Bush has been saying, that the terrorists have in fact won to a certain extent because we are changing our plans for them, we are not going to London because of them.”

Stephen Dowd, chief executive of Ukinbound, the trade association representing the inbound tourism industry, said the directive was confusing to travellers coming to Britain.

“It is unfortunate that they have decided to give that recommendation to their servicemen and women because we are finding that a lot of people are still coming to London, particularly from north America,” he said.

“People are much more aware that terrorism is an international issue and that they are as safe in London as anywhere else.”

He went on: “The reality is that this doesn’t change the risk of travel – the risks are still there – and people are still travelling.

“Which is why I find it strange that the US should be making this decision.”

Elliott Frisby, from visitBritain, said people were travelling around the capital as normally as possible.

“There is no reason why people should not travel to London,” he said. “The airports are open, the flights are still coming in.

“British people are still travelling in London and Londoners are ready to welcome their visitors.”

His words were echoed by Lesley Mair, from the Corporation of London.

“We are urging people to try and get back into work and live as normal lives as possible,” she said.

“We must not let the terrorists beat us.”