July 21 accused 'cried false tears'

Manfo Kwaku Asiedu broke down last week when he described to Woolwich Crown Court the moment he claims he was asked to be a suicide bomber.

The 34-year-old illegal immigrant also began to cry when he told police about his dead father, the court was told. However, Asiedu confirmed in court that his father is still alive.

Anthony Jennings QC, counsel for Hussain Osman, put it to him: "You were doing exactly what you were trying to do to this jury which is pull the wool over their eyes by starting to cry when you were lying.

"Didn't you cry when you were giving your evidence in chief?"

Ghanaian-born Asiedu said: "My mind went back to what was happening that moment, the position I was in and what these people had put me through.

"I was remembering the time as I'm staring death in my face and you're telling me not to cry?"

Mr Jennings continued: "You are a self-confessed liar aren't you, and a fraudster?" Asiedu: "I'm not"

During another heated exchange the barrister went on: "You are a sly and devious liar." Asiedu: "Well that's your suggestion and I won't be surprised if you suggest this because you just want to paint me black and I'm already black."

Asiedu and five other deny charges of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life.