Airline terrorist suspect already UK government

UK security forces embarassed by revelations of dossier on terror suspect

Travel Insurance News - 04/01/2010

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The UK security services have been left with egg on their faces after it came to light that they were previously aware of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, even before his alleged airline bombing attempt.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab lived in London between 2005 and 2008 and had attempted to return to the capital city in 2009. However, he was refused a visa as it was known that he had been involved in violent and political activity during his previous stay. However, no action had been taken against the man as it had been determined that he did not pose a significant threat.

In Parliament this Tuesday Home Secretary Alan Johnson was forced to admit that: "During [Mr. Abdulmutallab's] time in the UK, he was known to the security services but not as somebody who was engaged in violent extremism."

After looking closely through their records, British security officials have determined that Mr. Abdulmutallab was also on the fringe of a number of other intelligence investigations. It has been discovered that there were records showing him to be interacting with political extremists on the Internet and also at meetings.

Although it has been suggested that the UK security services could have provided the US with valuable information, Mr Johnson disputes this, saying that: "Whilst we did provide information to the US, according to standard operational practices, linked to the wider aspect of this case, none of the information we held or shared indicated that Abdulmutallab was about to attempt a terrorist attack against the US.”

As a result of the alleged attempt to bring down the Northwest Airlines flight as it approached Detroit, it has been announced that airline passengers travelling in and out of the UK will now face increased security checks.

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