Al-Qaeda sympathizers have been trying to join MI5 (British counter-intelligence) as the agency expands to recruit more agents from diverse backgrounds in an attempt to bolster its counter-terrorism capability, security sources revealed on Monday night.
A number of potential infiltrators were discovered during the vetting process after applying, but had been weeded out.
The disclosures come amid a big recruitment drive by MI5, with about 100,000 candidates applying for 400 jobs. Staff numbers are expected to grow by over 50 percent over the next two years to 3,500, with over half the service's resources devoted to counter-terrorism.
Last week the parliamentary intelligence and security committee, which oversees the work of MI5, warned of the risks of taking on many new recruits.
Last night's admission came as Scotland Yard's most senior anti- terrorism officer claimed that four major plots, including one with poison, had been foiled since the July 7 attacks last year.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke said yesterday that his officers were picking up more intelligence of conspiracies to inflict mass murder than ever. He said the branch was involved in 70 operations in the UK and around the world to thwart attacks.
In a press conference to mark the first anniversary of the July 7 bombings, Clarke held out hope that people could still be prosecuted for their involvement in the plot. It was "entirely possible" that charges could be brought against those in the UK and abroad who had knowledge of the bombings that killed 56 people, including the four suicide bombers, and injured more than 700.
He also revealed that:
* Sixty people are awaiting trial for terrorism offenses in the UK, 41 of whom have been charged since July 7 last year.
* Most of the accused are British, and counter-terrorism chiefs are concerned at how young some of the accused are. One is 16 years old.
* One of the four plots disrupted is alleged to involve the use of poisons.
* Despite ?30 million (US$55.4 million) in extra money and extra staff, his officers are working close to flat-out to investigate.
The briefing was one of the most detailed on-the-record assessments by a British counter-terrorist official since the Sept. 11 attacks on the US. Clarke said the investigation into the attacks in July last year was still piecing together the final months of the four bombers.
"We are reconstructing the days, weeks and months leading up to the attack, to see if we can get to the point where we can show, to a level required for a criminal prosecution, people who must have been aware of what was going to happen," Clarke said.
Britain's counter-terrorism officers have faced recent criticism over a raid on an east London home in search of an alleged chemical weapon, which saw 250 officer storm the house and left one man shot.
No one was charged over the raid and no device has been found.
Clarke said the counter-terrorism effort would lead to "shocks" in the relationship between the police and British Muslims.
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