King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has accused Britain of failing to act on Saudi anti-terrorist intelligence, which he claimed might have averted the July 7 bombings in London in 2005.
In an interview with the BBC ahead of his controversial visit to the UK, the Saudi head of state said countries such as Britain needed to put more effort into the fight against terrorism.
“We have sent information to Great Britain before the terrorist attacks in Britain but unfortunately no action was taken. And it may have been able to maybe avert the tragedy,” he said, speaking through an interpreter.
– The Guardian
Shocking lapses in security screening at American airports are revealed in a report commissioned by the US Transport Security Administration.
Undercover operatives carried dummy explosives and bomb parts past security staff in more than 60% of tests at two of America’s busiest airports. Items smuggled included explosive residue on shoelaces as well as bombs concealed in briefcases, CD players, toiletry bags and backpacks.
Investigators found LA International Airport, notorious for security delays, to be the easiest target for terrorists, with screening staff failing to spot suspicious items on 75% of occasions.
– The Times
David Cameron set the stage for a fierce parliamentary battle over terrorism yesterday by signalling that he would resist Gordon Brown’s plans to increase the 28-day limit for holding suspects without charge.
Amid strong indications that the Government is considering doubling the limit, Mr Cameron, speaking on Sunday Live, a Sky News programme, accused Mr Brown of being incoherent for advocating an extension while promising a new chapter in the history of British liberty.
The Tory leader said: “On the one hand to say this is a new chapter of British liberty, but he wants even longer to bang people up without charge or a trial. Totally muddled, totally incoherent. We have always said unless they can produce new evidence about why we should go further than 28 days we don’t see the justification.”
– The Times
Britain is to get a US-style national security council as Gordon Brown plans an overhaul of counter-terrorism work at Whitehall.
Mr Brown is preparing to publish a new National Security Strategy that will supersede much of Tony Blair’s policy and give the Prime Minister greater control over Britain’s fight against extremism.
The document will also set out to the public what insiders call the “truly frightening” extent of radical Muslim activity in Britain.
– The Telegraph