Britain could be paralyzed by bioweapons, radioactive attack: think-tank

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — The devastating impact of a terrorist attack in Britain using bioweapons or radioactivity could be further amplified by the panicked reaction and "alarmist media," a leading think-tank has warned.

To counter this, authorities should provide calmly-presented information about possible scenarios before any attacks take place, said Paul Cornish, head of London-based Chatham House's international security programme.

His report looked at the threat from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons here and said they could be used by extremist groups "from the largest to the smallest... from the poorest to the best funded."

"A good deal of the effect of a terrorist attack in the United Kingdom using CBRN could prove to be...