Well there was more than enough time to scramble and intercept the 9-11 jets. They were either in the wrong are, sent in the wrong direction or wasting time getting approval to take the necessary action.
The RAF did exactly what they should be and that this protecting the country. This is how you keep people safe, not bombing the Middle East to within an inch of its life. Having jets ready, armed and with the appropriate authority to do what's needed is far safer.
I do wonder what went wrong. Lots of frequency changes as you head north, the requirement to descend early to be FL280 by a certain point. Switching to Scottish. Not to mention the sound of others on frequency.