Army 'on standby' to deal with terror fear

Published on Wednesday 1 October 2008 20:18

ARMY units were put on standby across Britain in the wake of the failed 21 July attacks, an inquest heard yesterday.

Scotland Yard chiefs put soldiers on alert as they launched a massive manhunt for those behind the London terrorist attacks.

Senior officers feared other cities, such as Birmingham or Manchester, could be targeted by suicide bombers.

Details of the aftermath of the failed attacks emerged during the eighth day of the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes. The Brazilian was shot dead at Stockwell Underground station by police who mistook him for an on-the-run terrorist, Hussain Osman.

Detective Superintendent Jon Boutcher said he was responsible for identifying those behind both the 7 July and 21 July attacks. Giving evidence at the Oval cricket ground, he said a series of meetings were held in the late evening of 21 July.

The inquest was told that senior officers were made aware of a number of similarities between the 7 July and 21 July bombings.

Mr Boutcher said: "My assessment was London was going through a unique period and we were trying to make contingencies to prevent further attacks elsewhere.

"So I did seek to put measures, police measures, in place for firearms capabilities outside London, including military assets," he told the inquest.

Mr Boutcher said two-man "fly teams" were also created so Met specialists could be sent quickly to any location in Britain.

The inquest heard officers found the extra measures created a "chaotic" environment.

Mr Boutcher also revealed that at one point he believed "absolutely" that Mr de Menezes was not one of the terrorist suspects they were seeking.