Police chief reveals Britain link with Madrid bombings

By JASON BENNETTO - 1.00pm

Sir John Stevens, the Commissioner of the (London) Metropolitan Police, has revealed that there is a "definite link" between the terrorists who carried out the Madrid bombings and al-Qaeda supporters based in Britain.

Anti-terrorist and MI5 officers are investigating whether Islamic extremists based in this country provided money and support to one of the chief suspects of the atrocity in Spain.

Confirmation that British-based al-Qaeda followers are thought to be involved in the rush-hour train bombings, in which 201 were killed and about 1,500 injured, will heighten fears about an attack on the United Kingdom.

Sir John, Britain's most senior police chief, told The Independent: "We believe there is a London link with what happened in Madrid."

Asked whether any of the suspects arrested for last Thursday's bombing were connected to Islamic extremists based in the UK he replied: "There is a definite link in what has happened."

The disclosure comes days after Sir John warned that it was "inevitable" that al-Qaeda terrorists would attempt to carry out an attack in London.

He said yesterday that detectives have carried out a review of the security of possible targets, including nightclubs and pubs.

While the head of the Met declined to give details of British links with the co-ordinated bombings in Spain a senior anti-terrorist source revealed that one of the chief suspects in the bombings, a Moroccan man, has been to Britain.

Jamal Zougam, 30, is thought to have visited London in search of funding and logistical help. This could include assistance in planning and supplying equipment and false identification papers for the bombers. The suspect is known to have contacted, some via telephone, a number of north Africans living in the UK.

Al-Qaeda supporters are known to use Britain as a base to raise funds, often via fraud, and to forge documents for use in operations.

Spanish police arrested Zougam, and four other men, at the weekend after a mobile phone found in an unexploded bomb in a rucksack on one of the Madrid trains was linked to his shop. He had previously been under police surveillance and was arrested by the Spanish authorities three years ago.

When they searched his Madrid apartment in 2001 the police found videos, including one that contained a bin Laden interview, and phone numbers for suspected al-Qaeda members.

One line of inquiry is his contacts with the London-based cleric Abu Qatada, whom a Spanish judge has called Osama Bin Laden's 'European ambassador', and his supporters.

The radical Islamic preacher is being held at the top security Belmarsh prison in London under anti-terrorism laws. The 43-year-old Palestinian was granted asylum in Britain 10 years ago.

Another potential British link being investigated is Mr Zougam's involvement with the Syrian cleric, Abu Dahdah, who has repeatedly visited this country and met up with Abu Qatada. He is currently being held in custody in Spain where he is accused of being head of the country's al-Qa'ida network.

MI5 and Scotland Yard have not interviewed Qatada about the Spanish atrocity, but Sir John has said that his officers were prepared to question any of the 12 foreigners currently held in detention under anti-terrorism legislation if they believe it would be useful.

Inquiries by MI5 and the Met are still at a very early stage, while the major investigation into the Madrid atrocity is being carried out by the Spanish police and intelligence agencies.

Five new suspects, four Moroccans and a Spaniard, to the bombing were arrested yesterday in Spain, bringing the total of people held to ten.

Three of the latest arrests were made in Alcala de Henares, a town about 20 miles from Madrid. Three of the four trains bombed originated in Alcala de Henares, and investigators found a stolen van there with seven detonators and an Arabic tape with content from the Koran.

Police believe the suspects may have played a direct role in the bombings and might also have been involved in suicide attacks that killed 33 people and 12 bombers in the Moroccan coastal city of Casablanca in May 2003. Meanwhile a statement claiming to come from al-Qaeda has warned of imminent terrorist attacks in Britain and other countries.

The statement e-mailed to Arab news organisations on Wednesday night was signed by a group, which said it, carried out attacks in Madrid and Istanbul.

It warned the UK, Australia and Saudi Arabia that a "brigade of death" was targeting them and other countries.

The message was signed by the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades - the group which last year falsely claimed responsibility for widespread power cuts in the US.

Despite the carnage in Spain, Tony Blair yesterday insisted that the terror threat to Britain is no greater than it was before the 11 September attacks.

The Prime Minister said: "The danger this week is the same as the danger last week, the same as the danger a year ago. "It's the same as before September 11."

- INDEPENDENT