London terror attacks 'not linked'

2005-08-13 21:57

London - Terrorist attacks in London last month were home-grown and had no guidance from al-Qaeda, a British press report said on Saturday as British-based Islamist extremism seemed to take a blow with three senior clerics either barred from the country or in detention.

The Independent newspaper reported that the initial findings of an investigation into the July 7 and 21 bomb attacks had found no evidence of any al-Qaeda "mastermind" or senior organiser.

Citing unnamed sources, the paper also said that the two attacks were not connected, and that the July 7 cell did not conform to previous al-Qaeda units.

The investigation, which the newspaper said involved domestic and external security services, the police and the listening centre at Government Communications Headquarters, reportedly found that the July 7 team worked in isolation and was radicalised by Mohammad Sidique Khan, the oldest of the four bombers.

The Independent said police and domestic security service MI5 feared the findings suggested more "self-sufficient" units similar to the July 7 cell were hiding in Britain.

'Copycats'

A counter-terrorist source told the newspaper: "The key point is the events are not connected. It appears they were self-contained, rather than being organised by some kind of mastermind."

"It is concerning that none were on the intelligence radar," the source added. "There are quite probably others we do not know about out there."

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said that police would not comment on the report or any other speculation about the attacks.

The newspaper said intelligence agencies and police had trawled through telephone and computer records, e-mails, forensic evidence, and investigated friends and associates to build up a picture of the suicide bombers.

The investigation reportedly concluded that the alleged plotters behind the July 21 incidents were probably "copycats", targeting Tube trains and a bus.

On July 7, three blasts caused carnage on the London Underground subway and one on a bus at four points across the British capital. The July 21 attack two weeks later failed when the bombs did not detonate fully.

- AFP