This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8056534.stm
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 6 | Version 7 |
---|---|
MI5 'too stretched' before 7 July | MI5 'too stretched' before 7 July |
(10 minutes later) | |
The security service did not have the manpower to do extra checks on the 7 July ringleader before he carried out the attacks in 2005, a report has said. | The security service did not have the manpower to do extra checks on the 7 July ringleader before he carried out the attacks in 2005, a report has said. |
But the Intelligence and Security Committee declined to criticise MI5, which it said had other priorities. | But the Intelligence and Security Committee declined to criticise MI5, which it said had other priorities. |
It stressed that while officers knew of Mohammad Sidique Khan's terrorist links, there was no evidence to suggest he was a threat to national security. | It stressed that while officers knew of Mohammad Sidique Khan's terrorist links, there was no evidence to suggest he was a threat to national security. |
Fifty-two people were killed in the suicide bombings in London in 2005. | Fifty-two people were killed in the suicide bombings in London in 2005. |
The long-awaited report describes in unprecedented detail what officers knew of Khan before the attacks. | The long-awaited report describes in unprecedented detail what officers knew of Khan before the attacks. |
It reveals that a police surveillance team photographed him in 2001 as part of an operation against suspected extremists. | It reveals that a police surveillance team photographed him in 2001 as part of an operation against suspected extremists. |
However, he was not identified from the picture - and his significance was only realised after the bombings. | However, he was not identified from the picture - and his significance was only realised after the bombings. |
Dominic Casciani,Home affairs correspondent | |
This very detailed report lifts the lid on the security services in a way we've not seen before. | |
It clears MI5 of failing to anticipate the 7/7 attacks because it had so much on its plate in 2004. Quite simply, Mohammad Siddique Khan was not listed as an essential target. | |
Why? Because he had not been identified. | |
That's not to say the security service and police didn't know anything about him. We've now learned that police filmed him in 2001 when he went camping with known extremists. | |
But by 2004 MI5 still didn't know "what" Khan was: they knew he was hanging around with terror suspects - but insist there was no intelligence that he was a security threat. | |
It's this critical difference between "who" and "what" that the security service relies upon amid accusations that it had seen enough dots - but failed to join them up. | |
'Astounding' | 'Astounding' |
The report reveals that MI5 teams were stretched almost to breaking point in 2004 - the year before the attacks - attempting to trace terror suspects around the UK. | The report reveals that MI5 teams were stretched almost to breaking point in 2004 - the year before the attacks - attempting to trace terror suspects around the UK. |
During that year, MI5 did not have the resources to watch 52 suspects who were classed as "essential targets". | During that year, MI5 did not have the resources to watch 52 suspects who were classed as "essential targets". |
In fact, the security service could only provide "reasonable" surveillance coverage of about one in 20 terror suspects - a fact the committee described as "astounding". | In fact, the security service could only provide "reasonable" surveillance coverage of about one in 20 terror suspects - a fact the committee described as "astounding". |
Resources were so stretched that officers could not even assess whether "desirable" targets should be examined more closely unless they were known to be actively plotting an attack. | |
MI5 currently employs 3,500 officers. The committee said it would need an unachievable "several hundred thousand" to provide comprehensive intelligence coverage. | |
In that context, it said the decision not to follow Khan after he had initially appeared on radar was understandable, taking into account operational pressures. | In that context, it said the decision not to follow Khan after he had initially appeared on radar was understandable, taking into account operational pressures. |
But the MPs said that given the amount of information held on Khan, it was "surprising" that they did not identify him prior to 7 July. | But the MPs said that given the amount of information held on Khan, it was "surprising" that they did not identify him prior to 7 July. |
Were you affected by the July 7th bombings in London? What is your reaction to the report? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Were you affected by the July 7th bombings in London? What is your reaction to the report? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |