By Craig Murray, British Ambassador to Uzbekistan from
August 2002 to October 2004
'None of the alleged terrorists had made a bomb. None
had bought a plane ticket. Many did not even have passports, which given
the efficiency of the UK Passport Agency would mean they couldn't be a
plane bomber for quite some time. In the absence of bombs and airline tickets, and in many
cases passports, it could be pretty difficult to convince a jury beyond
reasonable doubt that individuals intended to go through with suicide bombings,
whatever rash stuff they may have bragged in internet chat rooms.
What is more, many of those arrested had been under surveillance
for over a year - like thousands of other British Muslims. And not just
Muslims. Like me. Nothing from that surveillance had indicated the need
for early arrests.'
