Ex-terror suspect working in A&E

Published on Monday 10 August 2009 21:58

A HOSPITAL has confirmed that a doctor formerly accused of being involved in the London and Glasgow bomb plots is working in casualty.

Mohammed Asha, who was cleared of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions following the 2007 terrorism bids, is continuing his doctor training at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in Shropshire.

The government last week withdrew a long-standing attempt to deport the 28-year-old. Dr Asha began working for the hospital after the government dropped its application.

Meanwhile, Scotland's top law officer hit out at claims the investigation into the Glasgow airport bombing might have been hindered by a turf war between Edinburgh and London.

The claim was made last month by Andy Hayman, former head of counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police.

His book, The Terrorist Hunters, claimed a "disproportionate amount of time" had to be spent convincing First Minister Alex Salmond and Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini that the case should be handled in London, not Scotland.

Mr Hayman also told Scotland on Sunday he was unable to speak to his senior officers as often as he wanted as they were busy trying to persuade Mr Salmond to agree the investigation should be handled by London.

Ms Angiolini wrote in a letter to Conservative MSP Bill Aitken, convener of Holyrood's justice committee:

"I am concerned about the allegation that my independence in taking a decision to transfer the suspects to London was compromised by the involvement of Scottish ministers in the decision-making. This is utterly incorrect."

She went on: "This decision was taken solely by me, in the public interest.

"The reported claims do a disservice to the very impressive joint work by Scottish and English police and prosecutors."