disruptive.org.uk :: London Bombs (32)

London Bombs (32)

Tuesday 1st May 2007

The fact that we now know (since the end of the fertiliser plot case) that the government apparently lied ("clean skins") about whether anything was known about any of the July 7th 2005 bombers is a powerful argument for an independent public enquiry into the events of that day.

Although it is highly unlikely that an enquiry will be held, or that if it is, it will be properly independent or public, you can sign a petition here calling for such an enquiry.

Nafeez Ahmed comments:
http://nafeez.blogspot.com/2007/04/peering-through-crevice.html
http://nafeez.blogspot.com/2007/05/77-survivors-call-for-independent.html.

Rachel North comments:
http://rachelnorthlondon.blogspot.com/2007/04/update-from-me.html.

As far as the fertiliser plot itself is concerned, the information which has been widely reported is a tiny proportion of what has actually taken place in court.

The fact that the jury was out for an unprecedently long time before reaching its verdicts is of interest, as is the remarkably amateurish language and behaviour which was covertly filmed by the authorities and replayed in news broadcasts last night.

See also this CNN report (April 1st 2004) (which I came across via a comment posted by Bridget Dunne on Postman Patel's story on this):

The Khan and Khyam families also said they were approached in recent weeks by a man who identified himself as "Mr. Gould" and said he worked for the British domestic intelligence agency MI5.

After meeting family representatives on several occasions, "Gould" suggested that the young males of the family -- who are now in custody -- should leave Britain.

According to the family, "Gould" said the young men did not represent a threat to national security but had been in contact with people who did represent such a risk.

The family said they had made arrangements for the three -- Ahmed Khan and Omar and Shujah Khyam -- to travel to Pakistan next week.

A spokesman for MI5 denied the claim that one of its officers had contacted the families.

Also of interest is Omar Khyam's change of mind about giving evidence:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5355976.stm

"Before we go on to that topic, I just want to say the ISI [Pakistani secret services] in Pakistan has had words with my family relating to what I have been saying about them," he told the court.

"I think they are worried I might reveal more about them, so right now, as much as I want to clarify matters, the priority for me has to be the safety of my family so I am going to stop.

"I am not going to discuss anything related to the ISI any more or the evidence."