1:06pm Tuesday 24th November 2009
MUSLIMS in Clitheroe say questions remain unanswered after a report into anti-terror raids in the town was published.
Farooq Hussain, a co-ordinator at Clitheroe’s Masjid Mosque, reacted to today’s report by Lord Carlile, which was critical of Greater Manchester Police’s lack of consultation with prosecutors ahead of the April operation.
GMP made 12 arrests across the northwest on April 8 this year under the Terrorism Act, including two security guards working at Clitheroe Homebase store, who are Pakistani nationals.
However, no criminal charges resulted from the operation and Lord Carlile, the government’s independent reviewer of terror legislation, said police should have discussed their plans with prosecutors earlier.
Mr Hussain said: “Had there been any convictions, or even charges, the operation would have been far more palatable.
“They have been deported, so there are obviously concerns about the presence of these individuals, so why were charges not made? There are lots of questions not answered.
“As someone who lives in the town, it is reassuring the police acted swiftly.
"But equally, how serious a threat was it?” And he raised concerns about community relations.
The two guards had been staying at the Brooklyn Guest House, Pimlico Road, Clitheroe.
The men were suspected of having links to al Qaida amid claims of an Easter bomb plot.
In the report, Lord Carlile said it was possible fewer men would have been arrested if discussions had taken place earlier.
He said: “It was unwise of the police in this case not to actively seek legal advice from the CPS during the process of planning the arrests.”
Lord Carlile said while the arrests ‘lacked visual subtlety’, the GMP were ‘probably right’ to take no chances.
GMP Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson said the report supported its ‘compelling case’ for the arrests, adding that the investigation was still live.
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