MI5 and Special Branch cleared in July 7 report

THE British Security Service and counter terrorist police did not have the resources to identify the ringleader of the July 7 attacks before the atrocities took place, a report has said.

The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) cleared MI5 and Special Branch officers of failing to link Mohammed Sidique Khan to the deadly London plot that left 52 people dead.

In a long-awaited but heavily-censored second report, MPs said they “cannot criticise” decisions made by investigators despite the fact Khan crossed their radar several times. They said it was right for officers not to dig further into his background despite watching him meet extremist plotters, because they had no evidence to suggest he posed a threat to national security.