please... my bookie coulda told-em that!!!
Posted on 11/03/2005 5:35:31 PM PST by Flavius
A FORMER MI6 chief has warned Britain to expect a biological, chemical or even nuclear attack by al-Qaida and linked organisations.
Former security boss Sir Richard Dearlove said Britain faced a much greater terrorist threat than the simple bombs used in the July 7 attacks, which claimed 52 lives.
"There's some complacency about the nature of the threat and we are misleading ourselves if we think this is the worst it can be. There are much more dreadful events that could occur," he said.
Speaking at a seminar on the British Government's proposed new terror laws, Sir Richard said it was possible the terrorists would do something "extremely frightening".
His comments came as it emerged the four July 7 London suicide bombers may have been tracked by British intelligence services up to a year before their attacks, but slipped through the net.
London's Daily Mirror reported the four bombers – Sidique Khan, Hasib Hussain, Jermaine Lindsay and Shehzad Tanweer – were kept under surveillance a year before the deadly blasts and were on a list of up to 100 feared religious fanatics.
But police dropped the operation after deciding the men didn't fit the preconceived "terrorist profile".
British Prime Minister Tony Blair's proposed terrorism laws have been left in tatters after rebel MPs slashed his 66-vote majority to just one.
The Government won a vote 300-299 just hours after Mr Blair had said the legislation was vital.
Rebel Labour MPs objected to a proposal to create the new offence of "glorifying terrorism".
Critics say the "glorifying" laws are too vague and wanted the proposal changed so people could be prosecuted only if they intended to incite terror.
Ministers said only people who knew, or had reasonable grounds for believing their words would encourage terrorism, should be prosecuted.
The level of defiance by the rebel MPs forced Home Secretary Charles Clarke to back down on other plans to jail terror suspects for 90 days without charge.
Labour backbenchers appear set to back a rebel amendment cutting the detention period from 90 to 28 days.
Earlier, Mr Blair told the House of Commons: "We are doing it because the police, the head of the anti-terrorist operations in this country say they need these powers to protect British citizens."
I'll bet a few Brits are rethinking that whole Chunnel idea.
If the population will just give up their guns, let the government put cameras all over the city and allow the police to run roughshod through your houses and records with no real warrants or probable cause, the police will keep you safe.
Yeah, right-oh old chaps.
Those who sacrifice liberty for the promise of safety deserve neither, and will soon have neither.
please... my bookie coulda told-em that!!!
No worries. Camilla's wonder boy will save the day.
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