David Cameron has said seven Islamic State plots against the UK have been foiled in the last year, one more than the head of MI5, Andrew Parker, stated only a month ago.



British government sources refused to say whether the additional plot had been thwarted in the last few months or had only been acknowledged in that time.

At a press conference at the G20 meeting in southern Turkey on Monday, Cameron urged vigilance in the UK and said a Mumbai-style multiple-target terror attack, such as had now also been seen on the streets of Paris, could happen in London.

Asked whether Britain was at war with Isis – which has claimed responsibility for Friday’s slaughter as well as the downing of a Russian passenger plane over Egypt last month – the prime minister said Britain stood in total solidarity with France and would do everything it could to defeat the jihadis.



Cameron said he would look at whether it was necessary to speed up the parliamentary process to endorse the draft investigatory powers bill, but said the bill was largely designed to ensure Britain retained its existing capabilities. He said: “We should look at the timetable; we do need to take parliament and people with us.”

Cameron plans to encourage a big show of solidarity between England and France at the friendly football international to be played at Wembley on Tuesday. It is possible he will attend the game to show off the strong links between the two countries. This has not been confirmed by No 10.

Football chiefs decided to go ahead with the evening game despite the reported misgivings of many French players. Asked whether he would be prepared to take his own children to the match, Cameron said: “Yes, I would. I think it’s very important that we carry on with our lives. What these terrorists want to do is to change our way of life and to destroy our way of life.

“Yes we should be vigilant, and in a free society you can never have 100% security. But in a free society you also have the people and the police working together to keep us safe.

“So remember that, but remember that our freedom depends on us showing resolve and carrying on our way of life – which is precisely what we ought to do.”