Police arrest fourth man over Gordon Brown death threat

Published on 26/08/2008 09:50

A FOURTH man was arrested today over an alleged plot to kill the Prime Minister, police sources said.

The 24-year-old was held in Blackburn, Lancashire, under the Terrorism Act 2006.

He is the fourth member of a suspected terror cell held by detectives in the past fortnight.

A police source said officers were investigating threats to kill Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

It is understood no concrete plot was in place but that officers discovered a written threat on an extremist jihadi website earlier this year.

Two men were arrested at Manchester Airport on August 14 as they prepared to board a flight to Finland.

A third man was held in Accrington, Lancashire, on the same day. All three are aged in their 20s.

Police have until Thursday to charge, release or seek an extension to the trio's custody.

Today's arrest came after a dawn raid on a flat behind a Halal butcher's shop, where local residents said the man – who is said to be white – lived alone.

Specialist counter-terrorism officers are examining the address in Whalley Range, north of the town centre.

A police van was seen parked outside a nearby Islamic Bookshop.

Whalley Range is a quiet residential street only a short walk from Percival Street where officers searched a house after the earlier arrests.

Police Community Support Officers were distributing leaflets in the area explaining the anti-terror operation to residents and seeking to reassure the public.

The internet hosts many websites from groups and individuals claiming allegiance to al Qaida and Osama bin Laden which routinely issue warnings and threats against political leaders in the UK and the US.

A police spokeswoman said: "The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation by Lancashire Constabulary and Greater Manchester Counter Terrorism Unit."

Chief Superintendent Andy Rhodes, from Lancashire Police, said: "This is a very sensitive time for all our communities and we are working hard to ensure everyone is kept up-to-date with as much information as we can give.

"We will endeavour to carry out any searches as quickly as possible to minimise impact on the area concerned. However, inquiries of this nature are complex and may take time to resolve.

"I would like to thank local residents affected by the arrests for their co-operation and ask that they remain patient."