Al-Qa'eda terrorists in Britain

There could be a couple of hundred al-Qa'eda terrorists at large in Britain:

Sir John Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police chief, has warned that as many as 200 al-Qa'eda terrorists are at large in Britain.

He said that it was "vital" that the Government's anti-terror legislation, which includes controversial 'control orders' allowing suspects to be held under home arrest, is approved by Parliament.

Writing in the News of the World, Sir John said: "As you read this, there are at least 100 Osama bin Laden-trained terrorists walking Britain's streets. The number is probably nearer 200 ... the cunning of al-Qa'eda means we can't be exact.

"But they would all commit devastating terror attacks against us if they could, even those born and brought up here."

Critics of the Bill say that control orders, which could be imposed without conviction, without evidence and without the suspect being informed of the charges against him, are an unacceptable attack on civil rights.

However, Sir John wrote: "For the safety of the vast majority, occasionally we will have to accept the infringement of the human rights of high-risk individuals."

In the news:

Up to 200 Al-Qaeda terrorists in Britain

Al-Qaeda 'has 200 on UK streets'

Around the Blogosphere:

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