UK News 28-11-2003 Scotland Yard Swoops On Bomber who: Scotland Yard what: Arrest suspected al-Qaeda terrorist where: GLOUCESTER when: Yesterday snippet: "The arrest of a 24-year-old man by anti-terrorist branch officers in Gloucester yesterday raised fears of an imminent al-Qaida-inspired plot to carry out suicide bombings in Britain," reports The Guardian. "Security sources claimed the man had links to the convicted al-Qaida shoe bomber, Richard Reid, who attempted to blow up an American Airlines jet two years ago." The Telegraph reports that explosives were safely removed from 24 year-old British Muslim and Islamic scholar Sajid Badat`s house and although the search will continue today, a Scotland Yard spokesman allowed his neighbours to return to their homes and assured them they were in no danger. Home secretary David Blunkett praised the intelligence operation and successful raid as "another nail in the coffin of those who would threaten our life and liberty." "Scotland Yard would not comment on reports that the suspect may have been planning a suicide attack on a football ground or nearby GCHQ," says The Evening Standard`s website, thisislondon.com. Earlier yesterday, in an apparently unconnected anti-terrorist operation, "a man aged 39 was arrested in Manchester on suspicion of providing support to Islamic extremists," says The Independent. "GCHQ`s Cheltenham offices, which are about ten miles from yesterday`s first arrest, were created to streamline the task of monitoring countless phone calls and e-mails around the world to aid the fight against terrorists," explains The Scotsman. "Housed in an elaborate circular building, Britain`s £1.6 billion spying centre could easily serve as the backdrop to the finale of a James Bond film." In related news, the BBC reports that a cross-Party committee has reviewed the government`s proposed emergency powers and concluded that they could put human rights and democracy at risk. [... more]

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