Free Republic

AN AL-QAEDA plot to target GCHQ was last night suggested as the possible trigger for the arrest of a suspected terror agent in Gloucester. GCHQ - the Government Communications Headquarters - has been at the centre of the fight against terrorism, providing vital intelligence to authorities, particularly in the wake of the 11 September atrocities. 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. Housed in an elaborate circular building, Britain’s £1.6 billion spying centre...

Explosives 'found in suspect's home' From correspondents in London November 28, 2003 EXPLOSIVE material was found at the home of an al-Qaeda suspect being searched by police in central England and has been removed safely, British police said today. "We are confident that there is no longer a danger posed by explosives on the premises and work will begin to allow the local community to return to their homes as soon as is possible," a police spokesman said. Earlier, Home Secretary David Blunkett said the man posed "a very real threat to the life and liberty of our country". The...

A man suspected of having connections with al-Qaeda has been arrested in Gloucester under the Terrorism Act. Homes in the Barton Street area of the city were evacuated on Thursday after the 24-year-old man was arrested. Home Secretary David Blunkett told the BBC: "We wouldn't have taken these steps if we didn't believe this individual posed a very real threat to the life and liberty of this country." In a separate investigation, a 39-year-old man was arrested in Manchester under the Terrorism Act. Forensic evidence A Metropolitan Police spokesman said two addresses in Blackburn, Lancashire, were also being searched. Mr...