Urban Myth - the Newcastle story. He did mention Newcastle and Milburn, but not in that context.
As for the London thing... Look no further than the following story that claims it happens almost every month.
BBC News - RAF fighter jets scrambled amid terror plot fears
Or try this one if you believe the Newcastle story and want to see what else people make up.
Political boasts | Red box | guardian.co.uk Politics
Right, must dash, I'm off for a game of Swingball with Robert De Niro.