'Convert' quizzed over blast

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It has emerged Nicky Reilly travelled on a bus with 54 passengers before the bomb he was apparently carrying exploded in a popular restaurant.

The 22-year-old was arrested at the scene after the blast at the Giraffe restaurant in Exeter's recently opened £230 million Princesshay shopping centre at around 12.50pm on Thursday.

Reilly, who has a history of mental illness and had adopted the Islamic faith, suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and the city centre was evacuated for several hours. There were no other injuries.

Devon and Cornwall Police Deputy Chief Constable Tony Melville said 54 people travelled with Reilly on the double-decker Stagecoach bus number X38 from Plymouth. It arrived in Exeter central bus station around 60 yards from the Giraffe restaurant just after midday. A device he had on him partially exploded while another found in the vicinity of the restaurant did not.

"We believe that, despite his weak and vulnerable state, he was preyed upon, radicalised and taken advantage of," said Mr Melville.

Police continued to search the restaurant and first-floor flat in King Street, Plymouth, where Reilly lives with his mother, Kim.

His neighbour, 17-year-old Ali Turner, said Reilly's computer screen saver was an image of the burning Twin Towers and added: "He did not talk to many people. He was a bit of a recluse, he did not have many friends locally." The college student added: "If you get brainwashed you get brainwashed. I do think that is what happened to him."

Neighbour Ali Turner said Reilly paid to have his name changed a couple of years ago to Mohammed Rasheed.

Syed Rahman, chairman of the local Islamic Centre, said it was possible Reilly had prayed at the mosque but added: "Certainly no-one who attends our mosque has anything to do with extremism. This guy may have come to us. We do not know him and we do not recognise him."