Man who plotted Army centre attack can be freed

A British terrorist who plotted an al Qaida-inspired attack in Luton can be freed from prison, the Parole Board has decided.

Zahid Iqbal discussed sending a remote-controlled toy car carrying a home-made bomb under the gates of a Territorial Army (TA) centre.

He and fellow plotter Mohammed Sharfaraz Ahmed spoke about making an improvised explosive device using instructions in a manual entitled Make A Bomb In The Kitchen Of Your Mom, by "the Al Qaida chef".

The men were arrested following a series of raids at their homes and were jailed for 16 years in 2013 after they admitted one count each of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism.

Iqbal was recorded telling Ahmed: "I was looking and drove past like the TA centre, Marsh Road. At the bottom of their gate there's quite a big gap.

"If you had a little toy car it drives underneath one of their vehicles or something."

Sentencing judge Mr Justice Wilkie said the pair would have to serve at least 11 years and three months.

In January the Parole Board ruled Iqbal should be released - three years earlier than his maximum sentence.

A Parole Board spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Zahid Iqbal following an oral hearing.

"Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

"Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has written to the Justice Secretary urging him to veto the Parole Board's decision.

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