Tennant continued: ‘Given that JTAC is now raising the threat level, we will need to step up protective policing measures – more armed officers visible, more foot patrols at crowded locations such as stations, and a review of security for forthcoming major events. May I also say that while I understand the position of JTAC with regards to a third NRF attack, I am sure that another is planned.’

The head of JTAC glowered at him.

Hogarth’s treacly voice piped up.

‘I wonder, Steven, whether you have the right team on this investigation,’ she said. Tennant could sense his body tensing. ‘The press are asking very legitimate questions about whether Detective Superintendent Gabriel is the right person to have in charge. I mean, her track record isn’t great, is it? She let Abu Mujahid escape from under her nose, after killing that young girl. Is she up to this?’

Tennant was brisk. ‘Deputy Prime Minister, the reports in the media are unfair and inaccurate. This is my call and Gabriel has my full confidence. She’s an extremely capable, skilled and resourceful officer.’

‘Of course, Steven, you know best,’ said Hogarth, her eyes betraying what she really thought.

The Prime Minister broke the silence. ‘This is not the time for an inquest into yesterday. We need to be responding to the situation now.’

The Home Secretary was quick to jump in. ‘I agree. And I believe this response from the far right is, in part, a reaction to the cancer of Islamist extremism which we have allowed to fester. We’ve allowed the fundamentalist Islamists too much space – and we’ve seen that in the violence and riots in the Muslim community of the last few days. We must be tougher and we must be seen to be tougher.’

‘What are you proposing exactly, Ben?’ The Prime Minister’s voice was dangerously quiet.

‘What we should have done months ago,’ said Thomas. ‘A raft of measures to stamp down on extremism. New profiling measures at ports. A ban on burqas. Temporary restrictions on immigration from dangerous countries. Repatriation of non-British citizens – even those with settled status – who break the law. No benefits for new migrants until they’ve paid taxes for five years. Regulation of mosques to eradicate extremism. We crack down on those who abuse our freedom of speech to preach hatred and we increase the presence of military on the streets to reassure the public. Then we bring this all together in a Freedom Bill.’

Far too loudly came a ‘Hear, hear’ from Lesley Hogarth.

The Prime Minister shook his head. ‘This would be the worst time to take the sort of extremist measures you propose, Home Secretary.’

‘Extremist, Prime Minister?’ The Home Secretary reddened.

‘Slip of the tongue,’ the Prime Minister said deliberately. ‘Extreme. It’d send a signal that we’re scared and that the terrorists are winning. We don’t let terrorists sway domestic policy.’

#

The Home Secretary was waiting for Tennant outside the COBRA suite. He sidled over and rested a warm hand on Tennant’s arm.