British reject claims Iraq war role left it vulnerable to attack

THE British government yesterday flatly rejected an influential think-tank report which said Britain’s role in the war on Iraq left it more vulnerable to terror attacks such as the July 7 bombings.

Defence Secretary John Reid and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw all criticised the dossier from Chatham House formerly the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Its report said there was "no doubt" the invasion of Iraq caused particular difficulties for Britain and the wider coalition against terror.

Police are still trying to establish the type of explosives used in the London bombings more than 10 days after the attacks which killed at least 56 people, it emerged last night.