Terror plot probe remark 'reckless'

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Tories denounced his comments as "reckless in the extreme".

There also appeared to be surprise in Whitehall at his remarks, with neither the Home Office nor the Metropolitan Police - which leads nationally on terrorism issues - prepared to confirm his claim.

It raised questions over whether such a plot had been detected and the prospect that the former head of the Royal Navy - who has a reputation for unguarded remarks - had once again spoken out of turn.

Tory MP Patrick Mercer, a member of the Commons home affairs committee, said the minister should "reflect very carefully" on what he had said.

"This is an extremely important post," he told Sky News. "I hope that Lord West has time to reflect on his comments and to decide whether they were sensible or not."

A Home Office spokesman said: "We have always been clear - as has the director general of the Security Service (MI5) - that there are many plots, individuals and groups under investigation. We don't elaborate on specific plots or individuals."

The Metropolitan Police declined to comment altogether.

Lord West's comments came after the House of Lords had inflicted a crushing defeat on Monday on plans to extend the pre-charge detention of terrorist suspects to 42 - forcing the Government to drop it from the Counter Terrorism Bill.

Defending the legislation in the Lords, Lord West told peers: "The threat is huge. It dipped slightly and is now rising again... There are large complex plots. We unravelled one, which caused damage to al-Qaeda and the plots faded slightly. However, another great plot is building up again, which we are monitoring."