Warders foil a ‘chapati bomb' plot by prisoners

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The materials were discovered in searches at top-security Belmarsh jail in South-East London, and Frankland in County Durham.

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Belmarsh prison: Bomb materials were discovered

Among the Muslim extremists held in the jails are the four 21/7 bombers and radical cleric Abu Hamza, serving seven years for inciting murder and race hate.

The everyday ingredients bought from prison shops included batteries, liquid air freshener and stone-milled atta flour, which is used to make chapati bread.

Jail staff discovered prisoners had stockpiled the flour, which, when mixed with household goods such as air freshener, can be used to make a bomb.

The threat was taken so seriously that prison chiefs sought advice from the Security Service and Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command.

An internal Prison Service document obtained by The Mail on Sunday says that a full review of goods sold by prison shops is now under way and 'police, the Security Service and our own technical staff will reassess the scope for abuse of any of the items available with a view to reducing the risk they may pose'.

Brian Caton, general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said last night that his members had been calling for more rigorous checks on prison shops for years.

He added: 'A bomb set off in a prison by people who have no fear of losing their own lives would lead to a massive loss of life.'

The Ministry of Justice refused to comment.