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Pressure mounting for 7/7 inquiry MPs to probe MI5 handling of 7/7
(about 4 hours later)
Pressure is mounting for an inquiry into MI5 amid revelations following the end of the UK's biggest terror trial. A group of MPs is to re-examine the way MI5 handled intelligence about two of the 7 July London suicide bombers.
As five men were sentenced to life in jail for plotting to build a massive bomb, the public learned that MI5 had followed two of the 2005 suicide bombers as part of that investigation. On Monday, five men were given life sentences for a foiled plot to build a huge fertiliser bomb for a UK attack.
In an unprecedented statement, MI5's chief defended the security service, saying that it had done all it could. It emerged that MI5 tailed two of the 7/7 bombers while investigating that case, but took no action.
MI5 is also facing questions over what it told MPs about the suicide bombers. MI5's chief said it had done all it could. But the Intelligence and Security Committee will look again at why the 7/7 bombers were not picked up.
On Monday five men were jailed after a year-long trial into a Al Qaeda-linked plot to build a massive fertiliser bomb, a conspiracy smashed by MI5 and the police. MI5 is facing questions over what it told MPs about the suicide bombers.
The committee is also expected to examine claims that West Yorkshire Police special branch was not told about the MI5 surveillance operation, though committee chairman Paul Murphy MP has indicated that police were informed.
Under surveillance: Picture from 2004, more than a year before London bombings.Enlarge ImageUnder surveillance: Picture from 2004, more than a year before London bombings.Enlarge Image
But the security service also watched two of the London suicide bombers - ringleader Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer. During the fertiliser plot investigation, the security service watched two of the London suicide bombers - ringleader Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer.
The men came under surveillance as MI5 watched the fertiliser bomb plotters in early 2004 - 15 months before they killed 52 people in London. They came under surveillance as MI5 watched the fertiliser bomb plotters in early 2004 - 15 months before Khan, Tanweer and two other men killed 52 people in London.
Rachel North, who survived the blast on the Piccadilly Line train, said she was shocked and appalled when she learned the true picture.Rachel North, who survived the blast on the Piccadilly Line train, said she was shocked and appalled when she learned the true picture.
"Now that we have discovered these men were very much on the radar of the Security Service and could have been stopped, that is going to be very difficult to come to terms with," she said. "Now that we have discovered these men were very much on the radar of the security service and could have been stopped, that is going to be very difficult to come to terms with," she said.
"This has fuelled my desire for an independent inquiry because it appears we have not been told the truth about what happened and what we knew about these bombers prior to 7/7.""This has fuelled my desire for an independent inquiry because it appears we have not been told the truth about what happened and what we knew about these bombers prior to 7/7."
Parliamentary evidenceParliamentary evidence
One critical issue is what MI5 told both the public and politicians in the wake of the 7 July attacks. The media were briefed that Khan and fellow bombers were "clean skins" - men with no previous record of terrorist associations.One critical issue is what MI5 told both the public and politicians in the wake of the 7 July attacks. The media were briefed that Khan and fellow bombers were "clean skins" - men with no previous record of terrorist associations.
WHAT MI5 TOLD COMMITTEE We have been told in evidence that none of the ... 7 July group had been identified (that is named and listed) as potential terrorist threats prior to July ISC report into MI5, 2006WHAT MI5 TOLD COMMITTEE We have been told in evidence that none of the ... 7 July group had been identified (that is named and listed) as potential terrorist threats prior to July ISC report into MI5, 2006
Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee later reported that Khan was not "named and listed" by MI5 before the bombings. The Intelligence and Security Committee later reported that Khan was not "named and listed" by MI5 before the bombings.
Its chairman, MP Paul Murphy, told the BBC on Monday that he stood by the committee's findings. Its chairman, Mr Murphy, told the BBC on Monday that he stood by the committee's findings.
Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight, he said MI5 had not identified Khan "until after he died".Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight, he said MI5 had not identified Khan "until after he died".
Evidence following the end of the trial reveals MI5 photographed Khan as he met other extremists, followed him home - and by the summer of 2004 they knew his surname and that he owned a car.Evidence following the end of the trial reveals MI5 photographed Khan as he met other extremists, followed him home - and by the summer of 2004 they knew his surname and that he owned a car.
EVIDENCE SINCE TRIAL Khan followed Feb 2004Photographed with extremistsRecorded talking with plot ringleaderHome address seenCar ownership and surname known June 04EVIDENCE SINCE TRIAL Khan followed Feb 2004Photographed with extremistsRecorded talking with plot ringleaderHome address seenCar ownership and surname known June 04
Calls for an inquiry were echoed in Parliament, but Home Secretary John Reid said it would not be the "correct response". Home Secretary John Reid has dismissed calls from some MPs and campaigners for an inquiry into the 7 July bombings, saying it would not be the "correct response".
"It would divert the energies and efforts of so many in the security service and police who are already stretched greatly in countering that present threat," he said."It would divert the energies and efforts of so many in the security service and police who are already stretched greatly in countering that present threat," he said.
"Our responsibility as a government is to try and minimise the chances of any other group of families ever having to suffer as the families of 7/7 did suffer.""Our responsibility as a government is to try and minimise the chances of any other group of families ever having to suffer as the families of 7/7 did suffer."
But Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "The information revealed in this trial will spark widespread public concern and debate about the operational capabilities of the security service, and the reliability of government information in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings."But Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "The information revealed in this trial will spark widespread public concern and debate about the operational capabilities of the security service, and the reliability of government information in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings."
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said MI5's unprecedented decision to rebut the allegations on its website was "not the answer".Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said MI5's unprecedented decision to rebut the allegations on its website was "not the answer".
"Whether deliberately or not, the government have not told the British public the whole truth about the circumstances and mistakes leading up to the July 7 attacks," he said."Whether deliberately or not, the government have not told the British public the whole truth about the circumstances and mistakes leading up to the July 7 attacks," he said.