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| Ex-BNP man 'wanted to shoot PM' | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A former British National Party (BNP) candidate who held explosive chemicals in anticipation of a civil war wanted to shoot Tony Blair, a court heard. | |
| Robert Cottage, 49, from Colne, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to possession of explosives at the start of his trial at Manchester Crown Court. | Robert Cottage, 49, from Colne, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to possession of explosives at the start of his trial at Manchester Crown Court. |
| His wife said he often boasted of wanting to shoot Mr Blair and Lib Dem peer Lord Greaves, the court was told. | |
| Mr Cottage denies conspiracy to cause an explosion. | Mr Cottage denies conspiracy to cause an explosion. |
| A second man, David Jackson, 62, of Nelson, Lancashire, denies both charges under the Explosive Substances Act. | A second man, David Jackson, 62, of Nelson, Lancashire, denies both charges under the Explosive Substances Act. |
| Alistair Webster QC, defending, said Mr Cottage, of Talbot Street, was a former BNP candidate and had been the subject of threats. | Alistair Webster QC, defending, said Mr Cottage, of Talbot Street, was a former BNP candidate and had been the subject of threats. |
| The bomb they intended to make would have had the ability to cause damage or cause serious injuries Louise Blackwell, prosecuting | The bomb they intended to make would have had the ability to cause damage or cause serious injuries Louise Blackwell, prosecuting |
| He explained that his client believed the "political and financial condition of the country" would lead to civil war within the coming years. | |
| Mr Cottage accepted the possession charge on the basis that the explosives were designed to deter attacks on his property, Mr Webster said. | Mr Cottage accepted the possession charge on the basis that the explosives were designed to deter attacks on his property, Mr Webster said. |
| The explanation was not accepted by the prosecution. | |
| Louise Blackwell QC, prosecuting, said the case had come to light after Mr Cottage's wife became increasingly concerned about his behaviour. | Louise Blackwell QC, prosecuting, said the case had come to light after Mr Cottage's wife became increasingly concerned about his behaviour. |
| Kerena Cottage suffered mental health problems and told her social worker that her husband had several crossbows and chemicals stored in his home. | Kerena Cottage suffered mental health problems and told her social worker that her husband had several crossbows and chemicals stored in his home. |
| David Jackson denies charges under the Explosive Substances Act | |
| She also revealed he wanted to shoot Mr Blair and local peer Lord Greaves, Miss Blackwell told the court. | |
| When police raided his house on 28 September 2006 they discovered 21 types of chemicals which, when combined, could form explosives. | When police raided his house on 28 September 2006 they discovered 21 types of chemicals which, when combined, could form explosives. |
| Miss Blackwell said they also uncovered a document called the Anarchy Cookbook, which detailed how to make different types of bombs. | Miss Blackwell said they also uncovered a document called the Anarchy Cookbook, which detailed how to make different types of bombs. |
| Ball bearings - which the prosecution claim could be used as shrapnel for explosive devices - were also found, along with four air pistols. | Ball bearings - which the prosecution claim could be used as shrapnel for explosive devices - were also found, along with four air pistols. |
| After interviewing Mr Cottage, detectives raided Mr Jackson's home on 1 October and found a bow and arrow and two nuclear protection suits. | After interviewing Mr Cottage, detectives raided Mr Jackson's home on 1 October and found a bow and arrow and two nuclear protection suits. |
| Supplies 'stockpiled' | |
| Miss Blackwell said: "The prosecution say these two men together agreed to order these chemicals... and they intended to make a bomb with them. | Miss Blackwell said: "The prosecution say these two men together agreed to order these chemicals... and they intended to make a bomb with them. |
| "The bomb they intended to make would have had the ability to cause damage or cause serious injuries." | "The bomb they intended to make would have had the ability to cause damage or cause serious injuries." |
| Miss Blackwell also read out a statement on behalf of Mrs Cottage, who was unfit to attend court because of her mental health problems. | Miss Blackwell also read out a statement on behalf of Mrs Cottage, who was unfit to attend court because of her mental health problems. |
| "Rob believes there will be a civil war and the emergence of a new world order," the statement said. | "Rob believes there will be a civil war and the emergence of a new world order," the statement said. |
| "Rob has also started stockpiling supplies," the statement added. | "Rob has also started stockpiling supplies," the statement added. |
| The trial continues. | The trial continues. |