LONDON, 3 July 2007 — Scotland Yard’s crack counterterrorism unit yesterday arrested three more suspects in the fast-moving investigation into the foiled car bombings in central London and at Glasgow International Airport in Scotland. Two men, aged 28 and 25, were arrested in Paisley. A third person was arrested at an undisclosed location. These arrests bring the total number held so far to eight.
To the relief of the British and especially Scottish Muslim communities, police have confirmed that the seven held are not “British in origin” and come from various countries in the Middle East. Security sources are talking about an Al-Qaeda-linked “sleeper cell” which has been preparing the attacks for some time. In fact, Strathclyde Police had the two men involved in the attempted Glasgow airport bombing on their security radar. Detectives were actually on the way to the two men’s apartment in Houston, but apparently missed them by seconds.
The arrests coincided with yet another security alert yesterday afternoon at the Royal Alexandra Hospital near Glasgow, where one of the men allegedly involved in the failed airport attack is being treated. A section of the grounds was closed off and a bomb disposal squad came to the area, although police stressed that there was no immediate threat at the hospital in Paisley. Yesterday police carried out a controlled explosion on a suspect vehicle in the car park of the hospital. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith yesterday briefed MPs in the House of Commons on the security situation surrounding the attempted car bombings in London and Glasgow. “Police substantially stepped up protective security measures including high-visibility patrols, including armed response vehicles,” she told a packed Parliament. “This is a fast-moving investigation. I'm sure the house will want to join me in thanking all those involved in the response to these incidents.”
The home secretary confirmed that searches were carried out in 19 locations around the country and that the Glasgow airport incident was linked to London attempted car bombings. “The top priority has to be the success of the police investigation,” she added. The government, she continued, was committed to working with "all people of good will, not just politically but in our communities...to take what action is necessary to root them (terrorists) out of our communities.” She said the government had put sufficient focus on counterterrorism and was looking at ways of "tackling the ideology that recruits people to terrorism" and at further legislation.
Indeed, the UK remains on the highest “critical” level of terror alert. Detectives are linking the three failed bombings, and the UK remains on high alert. But commuters and air travelers were yesterday warned to expect extra delays to journeys, with extra police patrols and vehicle searches taking place at airports and transport hubs especially main train stations. British Transport Police said police patrols were being stepped up across the rail network and random searches on vehicles approaching stations and passengers were increased.
"We continue to work closely with our colleagues from Home Office forces to ensure high visibility patrols in and around stations. Passengers and station staff have been briefed to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately," added the police. Security was also stepped up at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, with roadblocks set up in front of the gates to the All England Club. Police encouraged tennis fans to use public transport rather than cars.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur praised the public for "showing such resilience during this challenging time for London. I'd like to reassure the public that we're doing everything possible to make them safe by putting out extra patrols and deploying other protective measures. Safety and security is our number one priority. As a visible deterrent and disruptive tactic, officers will continue to use their powers of stop and search under the Terrorism Act."
At the same time, the UK government has made it clear that it will not be rushed into passing new terror laws as a reaction to the developments over the last few days. Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman and reviewer of terror laws, Lord Carlisle, stressed that "it's not a time for rushing into new legislation at the moment. We are very happy to look at new evidence from the police, from the security services, from the prime minister himself.”
Earlier he suggested that it may be time to give police longer to question suspects and called for tougher control orders. Ministers are currently consulting on anti-terror measures ahead of a bill due to be published in November later this year.
Prime Minister Brown and Home Secretary Smith have gained plaudits for their quietly confident and efficient handling of the current terror crisis, unlike the much more high profile and emotive approach of his predecessor Tony Blair, who could not resist on Sunday to launch a stinging attack on the “absurd Islamists.”
Brown's official spokesman also dismissed suggestions the attacks were linked to either Gordon Brown taking over as prime minister or to his Scottish origins, adding "these attacks could have happened any time, anywhere in the country."
In 2005, Conservatives, Lib Dems and Labour backbenchers defeated plans to hold terror suspects for up to 90 days without charge. Shadow chancellor George Osborne yesterday reiterated that a "cross-party approach" was needed, and that "particularly we need to look at some future point at new security laws.” He added that he was "not convinced" by plans to extend detention without charge, but was "ready to listen to new evidence.”
More details have also emerged yesterday about the people arrested in connection with the failed bomb attacks in London and Glasgow. One has been identifed as Dr. Mohammed Asha, 26, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. He was arrested with a 27-year-old woman, believed to be his wife, on the M6 near Sandbach in Cheshire.
Dr. Asha qualified as a doctor in Jordan in 2004 and evidently came to Britain the following year. He was initially registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) from Oct. 20, 2005 until April 13, 2007. He registered again on May 24, 2007 until May 30, 2008, possibly indicating a yearlong appointment at another hospital. Dr Asha worked as a junior doctor at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford in Middle England. Yesterday, Staffordshire Police began searching a property in Priam Close, in Bradwell, two miles from Chesterton, where Dr. Asha lived. Both the GMC and his employer would have been required to carry out criminal record checks.
A second doctor is thought to have been one of the two men who drove a blazing Jeep into the terminal building at Glasgow airport. At his rented home in Houston there is a picture of him wearing a stethoscope. It is believed he worked at Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital, where staff accommodation has been sealed off.
A fifth suspect was arrested in Liverpool. He and the M6 couple are being questioned at top security Paddington Green police station in west London. Two more men aged 28 and 25 have been arrested by police investigating the Glasgow Airport car bomb attack.
Police have 28 days to question those detained, but have to seek periodic judicial approval to continue holding them without charging them. Police were yesterday given more time to question the three people held in London.
Assistant Chief Constable John Malcolm, of Strathclyde Police, stressed that "this continues to be a fast-moving investigation and I am grateful to the public for their perseverance and support during these difficult times. The Cherokee Jeep used in the airport attack was packed with gas canisters which would have caused massive casualties if they had exploded. I would continue to urge people to be vigilant.”
He appealed for information on the movements of the green Jeep, registration L808 RDT.
The UK terror events have already impacted on other countries such as the US, where the Department of Homeland Security yesterday increased security at airports, with extra US air marshals on flights to Britain, although Secretary Michael Chertoff refused to raise the alert level stressing that there was no intelligence reports of any imminent attack on the US.
