Anthrax suspect is former US scientist - claim

A senior US scientist has claimed that the FBI has a prime suspect for last year’s anthrax attacks, but is "dragging its feet" on the investigation because he is a former government scientist.

Barbara Rosenberg, the director of the Federation of American Scientists’ biological weapons programme, claimed federal police have interviewed the suspect at least twice, but has not moved to press charges because he knows government secrets.

Speaking at a conference in Princeton University today, Ms Rosenberg said the FBI was aware of the suspect as early as last October.

Five people died and 13 others were infected when anthrax-laced letters were sent to two prominent politicians and a number of leading media outlets.