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Pressure grows for a 7/7 inquiry Pressure grows for a 7/7 inquiry
(about 1 hour later)
Survivors and relatives of victims of the 7 July attacks are stepping up the pressure for a public inquiry into MI5's handling of intelligence.Survivors and relatives of victims of the 7 July attacks are stepping up the pressure for a public inquiry into MI5's handling of intelligence.
On Monday it emerged at the end of a year-long terror trial that MI5 had two of the 7 July plotters under surveillance a year before the attacks.On Monday it emerged at the end of a year-long terror trial that MI5 had two of the 7 July plotters under surveillance a year before the attacks.
But Home Secretary John Reid ruled out an inquiry into MI5's failures.But Home Secretary John Reid ruled out an inquiry into MI5's failures.
A letter to Mr Reid calling for an inquiry will be delivered later by members of the 7/7 Inquiry Group. A letter to Mr Reid calling for an inquiry has been delivered by survivors and those bereaved in the attacks.
It calls for an "impartial public inquiry" to produce a "publicly available report containing appropriate recommendations". The letter, requesting an "impartial public inquiry", says one of the purposes would be "to examine issues aimed at saving lives, minimising suffering and improving the response of government agencies to the continuing threat of terrorist attacks".
The letter states that one of the purposes of an inquiry would be "to examine issues aimed at saving lives, minimising suffering and improving the response of government agencies to the continuing threat of terrorist attacks in the UK and abroad". The document has been signed by more than 18 people including 7 July survivors Paul Mitchell and Jacqui Putnam, as well as relatives of those affected - such as Ros Mitchell, whose husband, Colin, was killed.
Survivor Rachel North said: "This is not about blame but about future public safety - understanding what happened, how it happened and to stop it happening again."
When and where plotters met 7 July bombersWhen and where plotters met 7 July bombers
She said the group were "formally asking for a written response" to the request.
On Monday five men were given life sentences for a foiled plot to build a huge fertiliser bomb for a UK attack.On Monday five men were given life sentences for a foiled plot to build a huge fertiliser bomb for a UK attack.
It emerged during the trial that MI5 had tailed London suicide bombers Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer while investigating that case, but took no action.It emerged during the trial that MI5 had tailed London suicide bombers Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer while investigating that case, but took no action.
Danny Biddle, who survived the 7 July attacks, said the revelation that there were links between the suicide bombers and those behind the fertiliser plot meant a public inquiry was now essential.Danny Biddle, who survived the 7 July attacks, said the revelation that there were links between the suicide bombers and those behind the fertiliser plot meant a public inquiry was now essential.
"This is about finding out how this could be allowed to happen and how nobody could stop it. That needs to be investigated and to totally dismiss a public inquiry is shameful.""This is about finding out how this could be allowed to happen and how nobody could stop it. That needs to be investigated and to totally dismiss a public inquiry is shameful."
He said the home secretary and the government "should be ashamed" adding: "What more do you need to have a public inquiry?"
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
But Paul Dadge, who also survived the London bombings, said it was easy to be critical with hindsight.But Paul Dadge, who also survived the London bombings, said it was easy to be critical with hindsight.
He said he believed the attacks may have been prevented if the leads had been followed but argued that it was important to praise the security services for successfully securing convictions.He said he believed the attacks may have been prevented if the leads had been followed but argued that it was important to praise the security services for successfully securing convictions.
Mr Reid has rejected the need for an inquiry and said it would divert too many MI5 officers from the job of foiling other terrorist plots.Mr Reid has rejected the need for an inquiry and said it would divert too many MI5 officers from the job of foiling other terrorist plots.
But he has asked the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to consider why the 7 July bombers were not picked up. But he has asked the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to consider why the 7 July bombers were not picked up.
The committee, which comprises MPs and Lords, is expected to examine claims that West Yorkshire Police special branch was not told about the MI5 surveillance operation.The committee, which comprises MPs and Lords, is expected to examine claims that West Yorkshire Police special branch was not told about the MI5 surveillance operation.
ISC chairman Paul Murphy MP has indicated that police were informed. ISC chairman Paul Murphy MP has previously indicated that police were informed.
'Divert energy' Tony Blair also rejected calls for a public inquiry, although he said he "totally" understood why some people sought one.
Tony Blair has also rejected calls for a public inquiry, although he said he "totally" understood why some people sought one.
The row has taken the shine off the conviction of the five menThe row has taken the shine off the conviction of the five men
He told GMTV: "The problem if you have an independent public inquiry into something like this is you will divert all their energy and attention into trying to answer the questions that come up in the inquiry."He told GMTV: "The problem if you have an independent public inquiry into something like this is you will divert all their energy and attention into trying to answer the questions that come up in the inquiry."
Former home secretary David Blunkett said there was no need for a public inquiry "because it is lengthy, expensive and it presumes that we don't have the facts, and we do".Former home secretary David Blunkett said there was no need for a public inquiry "because it is lengthy, expensive and it presumes that we don't have the facts, and we do".
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It would be a great boon for the terrorists, and those associated with them, to see us to trawl the exact detail of everything that went on."
These comments follow suggestions that the 7 July attacks could have been avoided.
'Clean skins''Clean skins'
"We shouldn't lose sight of the five who were locked up," he said, adding that it is "a shame" that the success of security services had been overlooked." One issue being looked at is what MI5 told both the public and politicians in the wake of the 7 July attacks.
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.
The media were briefed that Khan and fellow bombers were "clean skins" - men with no previous record of terrorist associations. 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. But 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.
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
The revelation that one of the 7 July bombers met up with one of the fertiliser bomb plotters - Omar Khyam - at a terrorist training camp in Pakistan has caused concern.The revelation that one of the 7 July bombers met up with one of the fertiliser bomb plotters - Omar Khyam - at a terrorist training camp in Pakistan has caused concern.
However, the head of Pakistan's National Crisis Management Centre, Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema, said anyone "who spends a lot of money and travels to Pakistan...[is] already motivated for a particular reason".However, the head of Pakistan's National Crisis Management Centre, Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema, said anyone "who spends a lot of money and travels to Pakistan...[is] already motivated for a particular reason".
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell responded to details that emerged in bomb plot trial by saying it would "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". The Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have both called for an independent inquiry into the 2005 London bombings.
And Shadow Home Secretary David Davis 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."