Where are they Now ? No. 431. The Muslim Mercedes Jihadist Suicidalist Bombers of early Summer ?
"LONDON’S worst ever bomb carnage was foiled yesterday — thanks to a drunken reveller, a hero cop and a car clamper." Sun 29/6/07
Friday June 29th (2 days after Gordy took over at No 10) a pale metallic green Mercedes (model type and Registration Number never released) was clumsily parked outside the large, busy, three-story Tiger Tiger nightclub in Central London. An ambulance crew responding to an unrelated call at 1:30 a.m. noticed smoke in the vehicle and alerted Police.
It was reported later that , a brave , heroic, selfless, hero / police officer leaned inside to switch a cellphone off that was the bomb's trigger and turned it off.
A second pale blue Mercedes 280, ( Registration Number never released) was illegally parked in nearby Cockspur Street about the same time. Traffic officers hauled it away to an underground garage at Hyde Park. Many hours later , after news of the first "bomb" blanketed the airwaves, that dopey car parkalistas told Plod that the towed car reeked of gasoline.
No one claimed responsibility (then or since) for the bombs ( a collection of petrol in cans, propane gas cylinders and a quantity of brand new nails) , and police arrested no arrests. A senior government official said the two explosives appeared to be "al Quaida inspired." "International elements" were believed to have been involved with the bombs, Whitehall sources told the BBC.
"Simultaneous, co-ordinated bombs have historically been a distinguishing feature of [al-Qaeda's] anti-Western attacks "Frank Gardner,BBC security correspondent.
CBS News has reported that a message appeared on the widely used jihadist Al-Hesbah site, at 8:09 a.m. June 28, saying: "Today I say: Rejoice, by Allah, London shall be bombed." (ie before the cars were parked)
Later that day Peter Clarke the Sphincter of the Yard , said the similarity of the bombs indicated that they were probably the work of the same people. "The threat from terrorism is real," Clarke said. "It is here, enduring. Life must go on, but we must stay alert." ***
Botched London plot leaves 'gold mine' of clues D. Tel
"Last night, scores of specialists were taking the vehicles apart at secret locations, confident they will find crucial clues to the identity of the terrorists. Police expect to find DNA from the bombers and to secure evidence about where the bomb material came from."
Police have crystal clear video image of car bomber
"Police have a 'crystal clear' video image of a man who tried to kill hundreds of people by blowing up two cars in central London, according to reports." Daily Mail
Curiously enough, however extensively you might search for further information after June 29th /30th on the web, it is impossible to find anything about the wannabe jihadist suicidalists, police activities, the cars, leads ..... anything.
Plod has a history of the cars, (even after failing to ask for public help - have you seen this car etc., ) a "crystal clear pic of the driver" in Cockspur Street (curiously unpublished) and a gold mine of evidence, and details on mobile phones.
Maybe it was just members of the Lady Dame Jane Pauline Neville Jones Fan Club having a good larf.
*** "It is here, enduring. Life must go on, but we must stay alert." ... readers please note this will be one of the many wise and witty saying of Peter Clarke PC in Lord Patel's forthcoming slim anthology, "The Plod's Plod. The Wit and Wisdom of Peter Clarke PC " Lunchbucket Press - which should hit the shops in time for Christmas.
