'PM terror threats': Fourth man charged

Police investigating potential threat against Gordon Brown and Tony Blair charge fourth man with terror offences

Monday, 01, Sep 2008 01:42

Police investigating a potential threat against Gordon Brown and Tony Blair have charged a fourth man with terror offences.

Lancashire police said Muhammad Ali Mumtaz Ahmad had been charged under the Terrorism Act.

The 24-year-old, of Whalley Range, Blackburn, was arrested on Tuesday August 26th.

He is charged with possession of an article in circumstances which give rise to a reasonable suspicion that his possession was for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

Abbas Iqbal, 23, and Ilyas Iqbal, 21, have both already appeared in court charged with the same offence.

Abbas is also charged with the dissemination of terrorist publications, while 22-year-old Ishaq Kanmi has appeared in court accused of soliciting murder, being an al-Qaida member, inviting support for a proscribed organisation.

The three men, arrested at Manchester airport and Accrington on August 14th, have all been remanded in custody to appear in court later this month or in October.

Mr Mumtaz Ahmad is due to appear at Westminster magistrates court tomorrow.

Threats were reportedly made against Mr Brown's life on a jihadist website earlier this year.

Former prime minister Mr Blair was also mentioned in the same threats, according to reports.

A fifth man, a 29-year-old from Derby remains in police custody.