British intelligence under pressure over suspects


Britain's intelligence services have come under pressure to explain how they let two Islamic extremists suspected of hacking a soldier to death in the streets of London slip through their net.


Both of the men, under armed guard in London hospitals after being shot by police at the scene of the attack, were previously known to the intelligence services but were reportedly assessed as not posing a deadly threat.


One of the men, identified as Michael Adebolajo, 28, had attended meetings of a now Si... Leather Beverly 100mm banned Islamist group and reportedly sold extremist leaflets in Rose Suede Balota 160mm Woolwich, south London, where the attack took place on Wednesday.


British police hope to soon question Adebolajo and the other suspect, named as 22 year old Michael Adebowale, who are both the children of Nigerian immigrants.


Adebolajo had reportedly tried to travel to Somalia to fight alongside the country's Al Shabaab insurgents but had been turned back and had his passport confiscated by police.


Key pointsVictim was Lee Rigby, 25, father of young sonMourned as 'true warrior' with 2nd FusiliersTwo more arrested as alleged attackers namedBoth knifemen had been investigated by policeVideo shows them being gunned down as they charge a police car


He was captured on film shortly after the attack near a barracks in Woolwich holding a bloodied knife and meat cleaver, claiming he had killed soldier Lee Rigby because British soldiers killed Muslims every day.


"It is an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," he says in the footage.


As police tried to piece together how Adebolajo apparently went from an outspoken convert he became a Muslim in 2003 to a cold blooded murderer, the government has been forced to defend the security services against criticism they missed signs that might have helped prevent the grisly murder.


UK prime minister David Cameron said a parliamentary committee would carry out an investigation into the role of the security services.


However, communities minister Eric Pickles said even if the men had been known to intelligence agencies, it was impossible to keep tabs on everyone all the time.


Graphic footage warning: Watch the Daily Mirror's video of the knifemen being shot by armed police


"Peers and MPs will do a thorough investigation in terms of what the security forces knew, but I've seen experts Gold Glitter Balota 160mm on security explaining how difficult it is in a free society to be able to control everyone," Mr Pickles told the BBC.


"There is a world of difference between holding extreme views and committing murder.


"There is an investigation taking place, there will be a full inquiry both in terms of the security forces and the police but I think we have to be realistic that a free and open society is always vulnerable to isolated individuals intent on violence."


Police were on Friday questioning two further suspects, a man and woman, both aged 29, after they were arrested in raids for conspiracy to murder.


Officers have searched five properties in London and one in a village in Lincolnshire, eastern England, where Adebolajo once lived.


"I assume that these people are probably coming out of a small group without, necessarily, any overseas connections or any other broader connections in the United Kingdom which could come to the attention of the security services more than they did," Richard Barrett, the former head of counter terrorism at Britain's foreign intelligence service MI6, told the BBC.


"When does a person who expresses radical views, who joins a radical group, flip over to be a violent extremist?


"To find the signals, the red flags as it were, I think is enormously hard."


The attack was the first Islamist killing since July 2005, when four suicide bombers struck London transport.


Peter Clarke, the former head of London's Counter Terrorism Command who led the investigation into the 2005 bombings, said if the men did turn out to be acting alone, it showed the difficulty the security services faced in trying to stop them.


"To an extent, if these people are acting as individuals it makes it even more difficult than if they're an organisation," he said.


When does a person who expresses radical views, who joins a radical group, flip over to be a violent extremist?


"Instead of [url=http://www.fashionshoes.us.com/multicolor-glitter-balota-160mm-replica.html... Glitter Balota 160mm[/url] having to dismantle an organisation, you are having to investigate and counter an ideology."


Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary said Adebolajo converted to Islam in 2003 and took the name "Mujahid", meaning "holy fighter".


He regularly attended sermons by banned Islamist preacher Omar Bakri, the founder of the also banned Al Muhajiroun movement.


"He used to attend some of our activities over the years. Very peaceful chap actually, not violent at all," Mr Choudary said.