Posted on 11/15/2006 3:03:01 AM PST by Mrs Ivan
Britain faces a "wave" of terrorist plots, prepared strategically and directed from abroad by al-Qaeda, Home Secretary John Reid has told the BBC. He agreed with MI5 head Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller's assessment that there were 30 major plots, and said an attack in the UK was "highly likely".
New counter-terrorism laws are expected to be among a raft of Home Office Bills at the heart of the Queen's Speech.
Counter-terrorism officials have said Britain is al-Qaeda's top target.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Reid said Dame Eliza had provided a "salutary warning".
'Great threat'
"It is a very great threat. It means that a terrorist attack in the United Kingdom is highly likely," he said.
The government had no information to suggest an imminent attack, he said, but were aware of 30 plots which were "ongoing" and had potential, he said.
"Whereas we thought this was probably haphazard some time ago, they do look as though they are being directed from abroad, specifically by elements of al-Qaeda," he said.
"They look as though they are being prepared strategically and that is that they fit into a pattern... it looks as though there's a wave of such things".
The security service MI5 has increased in size by nearly 50% since 9/11, but Dame Eliza said she was worried it was still not big enough to investigate all suspicious activities.
Plotter jailed
Last week Muslim convert Dhiren Barot, from London, was jailed for life over an al-Qaeda plot to kill thousands of people in the UK and US.
The UK's top police officer, Sir Ian Blair, said terrorism court cases needed to be sped up, and the 28-day limit for holding suspects without charge needed to be reviewed soon.
Last year Tony Blair suffered the first defeat of his premiership, when Tory, Lib Dem and rebel Labour MPs voted against his attempts to introduce a 90-day limit on pre-charge detention.
There has been speculation the government will try to extend the 28-day limit in the next Parliamentary session.
Mr Reid told the BBC he would be prepared to go back to Parliament to argue the case - but only if the evidence warranted it.
"I have made plain that if it is put to me on the basis of factual or evidential material that there is a requirement to go beyond twenty eight days, that I would be prepared to take that back to Parliament," he said.
"the 28-day limit for holding suspects without charge needed to be reviewed soon."
So, do they have any actual examples of why 28 days is not enough yet? There was a distinct lack of any actual evidence last time, which was why the measure was rightly defeated in Parliament. The whole argument seemed to be based on 'Ian Blair says the police should have 90 days, therefore we should agree to that'.
The Brits are gearing up for future terror attacks. The Democrat congress here is planning to tear down the few defenses we have. The American voters are dumber than geese and will deserve the inevitable consequences of this election.
This is what Britain gets for tolerating jihadis, all in the name of their common goal of destroying Israel.
I don't mean to piss off Mad & Mrs Ivan, who I can see our good people and on our side. But such is the ugly truth about Britain.
I suggest you read the latest by Melanie Phillips at her website to show how steeped in Jew-hatred Britain has become.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1255054/posts
I hate to say it...but I agree. When it does happen here...I won't be cheering on any fake Democratic response.
New book by Columbus Oh prof, Overblown, argues that terrorism is no big deal,
Always bear in mind that Melanie Phillips is making a very good living by telling certain people exactly what they want to hear.
Some of what she says has merit, but you should be very careful about generalising based upon what she writes about Britain.
Don't make the all too common mistake of swallowing her agenda whole.
Well-said. Useful barometer: I live in the throbbing heart of Birmingham where there's a synagogue with no perimeter wall, no cameras etc. There's no repeat no anti-semitic graffiti and one sees people in hasidic dress on the streets. There is jew-hatred in Britain - but it's in the Mosques.
Do you defecate out your mouth? Because you're talking crap.
Kinda early to be hittin the bottle isn't it, nube?
You and me both. Still don't buy that one Clinton tried selling the public after OKC.
Can you show me the facts about Britain being Jew hating?
Melanie Phillips', 'Londonistan'.
Is that all? No figures for the amount of Jews killed in Britain? Must be running into thousands according to Melanie.
As per post #9:
Always bear in mind that Melanie Phillips is making a very good living by telling certain people exactly what they want to hear.
Some of what she says has merit, but you should be very careful about generalising based upon what she writes about Britain.
Don't make the all too common mistake of swallowing her agenda whole.
The UK need not worry, we will send over American Democrats and they will take care of the terrorists.
We'd rather you didn't, thanks all the same. :)
LOL
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