| Security chiefs have had intelligence for nearly a year about an al Qaida supporting splinter group based in Luton and London where many of todayâs raids took place. Leaked German intelligence documents revealed last May that a cell linked to the âal Tawhidâ group was operating there. At least six addresses were raided in Luton today, and more in London, although it was not clear whether there were any connections to al Tawhid. The presence of the group in Luton and London came to light after some of its members were arrested in Germany in 2002 and 2003 amid allegations of links to the âHamburg cellâ which took part in the September 11 hijackings. Abu Qatada, the Palestinian-Jordanian cleric who is currently held without charge in Belmarsh prison under the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001, is argued by Home Secretary David Blunkett to have been the spiritual adviser to al Tawhid. |