MI5 chief told MPs 'no threat' before 7/7

Published on Tuesday 9 January 2007 12:46

THE head of MI5 reportedly told MPs a day before the July 7 bombings in London that the country faced no imminent terror threat.

Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller gave the assurance to a gathering of Labour whips less than 24 hours before suicide bombers hit the capital, it was reported today. A national newspaper claimed that "a number" of people who attended the evening meeting at the Commons had spoken to it about what she said.

Shadow home secretary David Davis renewed demands for an independent inquiry into the run-up to the attacks, which killed 52.

"It is absolutely necessary for the continued security of the British public that we know precisely if, when and how security failures occurred and for action to be taken to minimise the risk of it happening again," he said.

Dame Eliza is to step down in April after four and a half years in the top job. She insists that her decision to leave the job was taken before the 7/7 attacks. Asked about the report, a Home Office spokeswoman repeated Home Secretary John Reid's tribute to the spy chief in the wake of her retirement announcement.

"Her contribution to the security of our nation has been invaluable and I pay tribute to her unstinting efforts on our behalf," he said.

Meanwhile, members of the public will be able to receive e-mail alerts warning of any increase in the terrorist threat by registering on the MI5 website from today.