UK terror arrests criticised
2009-11-24 18:07
London - The government's terrorism watchdog has criticised police who arrested and then released without charge 12 men seized in April raids to foil a suspected al-Qaeda plot.
Lord Carlile, the government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said Greater Manchester Police should have sought comprehensive advice from specialist Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyers in advance.
The raids were launched several hours ahead of schedule in daylight after a document on the operation being carried by Britain's senior counter-terrorism officer Bob Quick into Downing Street was photographed. Quick resigned the next day.
"It was unwise of the police in this case not to actively seek legal advice from the CPS during the process of planning the arrests," Carlile said.
The 11 Pakistanis and one Briton were arrested in northwest England on April 8 in an operation aimed at preventing what Prime Minister Gordon Brown called a "very big terrorist plot".
But prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to hold them or bring charges. Police did not meet CPS lawyers in person until April 15, a week after the arrests, and Carlile said advice might have led to fewer arrests.
"I recommend that the CPS should at the very least be kept informed of counter-terrorism operations and asked to provide any material advice as soon as arrest of identified individuals is seen as likely," Carlile said in a report.
Coded language
GMP Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson noted Carlile said the arrests were justified.
"We faced some challenging circumstances in a fast-moving and dynamic operation," he said.
"We did speak to the Crown Prosecution Service ahead of arrests ... However, none of the conversations would have changed our decision to make arrests or the number of people arrested."
The arrests were made after an email sent by one of the men referring to a Nikkah or Islamic wedding ceremony aroused suspicions that an attack on British soil was imminent.
"Similar coded language had been used previously in relation to two major terrorism conspiracies which had resulted in trials and convictions," the report said.
The counter-terrorist chief's blunder meant the arrests, which were meant to have taken place at night, were fast-tracked. Four arrests took place "discreetly" while one man was pinned down in the street by armed police and others were arrested in public.
"While the arrests lacked visual subtlety, it is probably right that, in such circumstances, no chances should have been taken by the police," Carlile said.
Addressing criticism of images of men being arrested, Carlile said "combat-style" arrests were not necessary for all terrorism suspects and police should make "every effort" to minimise distress and disruption to communities.
On speeding up the arrests because of Quick's error, he said: "I have found no evidence that the change in arrest time led to failure to find, or the loss of, any material evidence."
"I recommend that ... all persons attending meetings concerned with national security ... should seek to avoid places where it is suspected cameras may be present."