Proof of bin Laden's guilt a secret

Downing St admitted yesterday that its dossier of evidence linking Osama bin Laden to the terrorist attacks in America was "not complete" and would not convict him in a court of law.

But Government officials insisted that there was a "smoking gun" proving his guilt which could not be included in the 21-page dossier, published yesterday, because it would reveal the methods or sources used by the security services.

The crucial undisclosed piece of evidence has been shown by the Prime Minister to Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Iain Duncan Smith, the Tory leader, who was said to be "100 per cent convinced by it".

The Prime Minister may also outline the evidence to other world leaders as he seeks to maintain the international coalition against terrorism.

The dossier was based on material collected by American agencies, including the CIA and FBI, as well as British intelligence.

Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, predicted that the dossier would help to convince people of not just Osama bin Laden's guilt but also that of his al Qaeda organisation.

The dossier relies heavily on circumstantial evidence about the previous atrocities carried out by bin Laden and al Qaeda.

Similarities are drawn in the dossier between the planning, use of suicide bombers and the nature of the previous attacks and those on September 11.

But Tony Blair's official spokesman insisted that the report included important evidence, citing the claim that the detailed planning for the attacks was carried out by one of bin Laden's close associates.

Asked if the evidence was mainly circumstantial, a Downing St spokesman replied:

"It would have been perfectly possible to have released absolutely nothing and for us to have made the case as we have done against bin Laden and al Qaeda. This is an exceptional situation, therefore it is exceptional that we are publishing this document.

"We are being as open as we can while taking every measure we can to protect intelligence sources and gathering."

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