This entry was posted on
Monday, January 23rd, 2006 at
2:06 pm and is filed
under The War on Stupid.
The Times – MI5 knew of bomber’s plan for holy war: Britain’s top spies knew that the ringleader of the London bombers was planning to fight for Al-Qaeda more than a year before the July 7 suicide attacks, security sources have revealed. MI5 bugged Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, a second bomber, for two months as they talked about Khan’s desire to fight in what he saw as the Islamic holy war. Agents also listened in as the men talked between themselves about Khan’s plans to return to Pakistan where he had attended a camp for British terrorists. They also spoke about engaging in crime to raise money for Islamic extremism. However, police and MI5 officers ruled that the two men were not an “immediate risk” and did not present a “direct threat” to national security. The detectives’ assessment was that the men were primarily involved in fraud rather than preparing to mount attacks in the near future. As a result, surveillance on them stopped, allowing the attacks that killed 52 people and injured 700 to go ahead.
Further proof, if you needed it, that there is no need for an inquiry into circumstances leading up to the July 7 attacks.
Link via Rachel, who has a lot to say about this.
(PS – Don’t let this stop you thinking about that poor whale and what MPs do with their penises.)
By Jeremy January 24, 2006 - 10:01 am
I think having this debate is destroying national security. This is what Osama wants, openess and freedom to destroy the west. A public inquiry would help the terrorists and be against all the Telegraph stands for.You are destroying freedom by mentioning it. What is needed is longer detention periods for suspects that will solve the problem. And possibly more bibles in schools. But definitely longer detention for suspects. If the police had been able to hold these people at birth and keep their DNA none of this would have happened.
By Rachel North London January 26, 2006 - 9:50 am
Hi and thanks for the link.Anyone know when the ‘narrative’ is coming out?Perhaps when it does we can all pop down to Parliament Square again and read it aloud in a mass story-telling session. With banners saying ‘ Tony Blair supports story-telling’. ‘A Damned Good Read’. ‘We hang on Tony’s every word’. ‘Tell us more tales Tony’.’ Wise Words’. Etc etc. And then we could read some more narratives. Like, I dunno, The Three Bears or Narnia or something.There was some discussion of holding a pro-Blair rally with fawning posters and OTT declarations of love and support for our leader in the No-Dissent Zone. Maybe the day of the publication of Tony’s ‘narrative’ could be a good time to show our love and support?