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Last two terror suspects in Brown’s ‘big plot’ are freed
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor22.04.09
GORDON BROWN was today facing serious embarrassment after the final two men held in the anti-terror raids that followed Bob Quick's photographed files blunder were released without charge.
The two men were freed this morning, hours after the release of nine Pakistani students who were also arrested in the high-profile police operation across Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire. A twelfth alleged suspect had already been released.
Police said they had been advised by the Crown Prosecution Service that there was insufficient evidence to bring charges, but “extremely complex” investigations were continuing and insisted that the arrests had been “wholly justified”.
Today's decision is certain to place pressure on the Prime Minister. It also prompted a call from the Muslim Council of Britain for an apology from the Government.
The freeing of the men follows the blunder by Scotland Yard's then anti-terror chief Bob Quick, who was photographed carrying a file showing the details of the planned operation, forcing the arrests to be rushed forward. He resigned the next day after admitting that his mistake had jeopardised a major police operation and potentially left colleagues and the public at risk.
Ministers are now also facing a difficult deportation battle after the Home Office said it would seek to deport 11 of those detained.
The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, Peter Fahy, said “ongoing issues of matters of national security” limited what he could say about the investigation, but that police had been right to intervene.
He said: “This has been an extremely complex investigation. We had a duty to act to protect the public. When it comes to the safety of the public we can't take any chances — we must act on information we receive. We don't take these decisions lightly.”
Inayat Bunglawala, of the Muslim Council of Britain, claimed that the Government had been “dishonourable” in its treatment of the men and urged ministers to apologise.
Mohammed Ayub, a lawyer for three of the men, said their deportation would add “insult to injury” and vowed to fight to allow them to remain in the country.
Describing the trio's arrest as a “very serious breach of their human rights” he added: “Our clients have no criminal history, they were here lawfully on student visas and all were pursuing their studies and working part-time.
“Our clients are neither extremists nor terrorists. As a minimum our clients are entitled to an unreserved apology and no further action should be taken against them.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “The Government's highest priority is to protect public safety. Where a foreign national poses a threat to this country we will seek to exclude or to deport.”
A former Scotland Yard anti-terror chief, ex-assistant commissioner Andy Hayman, said today detectives had to balance the risk of acting too early, when there might be insufficient evidence to bring a prosecution, against the danger of waiting too long.
He said: “The huge responsibility is judging when to intervene and when to allow events to unfold so incriminating evidence can be collected. If you wait too long, there is the danger that public safety is threatened.”
Mr Quick was not available for comment.
Reader views (14)
Keith, London.
Ms Smith 'falling on' her taxpayer 'subsidised'barbeque skewer might be more apposite, quicker, quieter and a little less painful!
- Dave, Cumbria
Just because there's insufficient evidence to charge them doesn't mean they didn't do anything! Their arrests were "wholly justified" according to the police. Do we have to wait until they kill innocent people before arresting them? Why can't these pathetic individuals just get a life... deport them!
- Jj, London
This doesn't mean those arrested are as pure as the driven snow: it's merely a question of having sufficient PROOF. ...Back in their own country they certainly would be released!
They should at least be deported forthwith. As for Mohammed Ayub - a lawyer for three of the men, who said their deportation would add “insult to injury” and vowed to fight to allow them to remain in the country - deport him too!
- Croyboy, Croydon
This government has gone past its sell by date.
We need an election asap
- Mr S.Port, London
So he should be embarrassed, but not for this alone. What about the five people arrested in Plymouth on the eve of the G20 meeting when a man sprayed a slogan on a wall! All quietly released without charge because there was no evidence whatsoever of any terror threat.
It is a classic example of 'The boy who cried wolf!' Having squandered the respect, good will and understanding of the public by repeated false alarms and incompetence, the 'anti-terror' operations of the UKJ authorities now have no credibility at all.
David Davis has been proved right, civil liberties in the UK have been eroded, the power of the state massively extended but with no discernible improvement in the security of the UK.
- Manny Goldstein, London, UK
Another cock up! Didn`t we have Mr Hayman with great media fanfare briefing John Prescott before a big terrorist operation that went belly up as well. Oh well, I suppose we have better get ready for the usual appeal tribunal followed by a compensation pay out. This country must be the laughing stock of the world. No wonder Barak isn`t showing too much interest in the Uk at the moment. Probably waiting until there is a change of government. The americans were once regarded as being full of bull **** now it seems to be the UKs police and security service. Time the Home Secretary went on gardening leave or decorated her sister`s pad.
- Brian Gare, Norfolk Gorleston
Does Quick get another chance?Smith should fall on her wooden spoon for this!
- Keith, London
Looks to me that this whole event was a staged attempt to give this pathetic Home Secretary a break from the rightful barrage of criticism which she has brought upon herself. Bob Quick, the Yard's answer to Inspector Clouseau, is told flash those papers around so the Press get a good look resulting in the arrest of a few doubtful characters with the maximum amount of publicity. Quick resigns with a huge pension when he ought have been dismissed the service with nothing whilst, Brown & Jackie score a few very short term points.
It stinks.
- Mordwinoff, Lisle France.
what is this country coming to,EVEN the MP has released the last 2 TERROR SUSPECTS get rid of him and his cabinet!!!!!bring in new stock get rid of dead wood
- Me, Essex
Well Gosh! What a surprise!! Imagine! Whoever would of thought that it might all be a cock up! It's extremely embarrasing being a Brit these days, the laughing stock of the whole world. What's the matter with these people! They make such a big fuss and it turns out to be a wet squib. Meantime the real terrorists are probably getting on with the job, probably assisted by some other lunatic department of the government. Incompetence at the highest level!
- Les, uk
Deport them all, better safe than sorry. These are foreign nationals and it is a priviledge to study in the UK, not a right; the government does not have to apologize for nothing when safety of our nation is involved.
- Brandon Thomas, SW7, London UK
Another terror arrest all over the news, no convictions. The UK seems to be quite good at stirring up a storm where there is nothing. Must be following the Bush/Cheney book of practice.
When these raids took place, everybody had a comment. From the Prime Minister to the street sweepers. Where are they now?
Now that all "suspects" to the "big plot" have been proven innocent, the news is CONVENIENTLY released when the budget is being announced!!! Giving all those who had an opinion a convenient excuse to suddenly be doing something else.
And how do we apologise to those whose lives have been ruined by this? By deporting them.
Shame on Britain.
- Brad, boston US
Labour lied to us again.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke
Brown and Co need to keep the population subdued and scared.
- Satnam Singh, corby
