London killer link to army bomb plot

28 March 2017 - 10:22 By ©The Daily Telegraph
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
STANDING TALL: Women hold hands in silence on Westminster Bridge, London, in remembrance of the victims of last week's attack.
STANDING TALL: Women hold hands in silence on Westminster Bridge, London, in remembrance of the victims of last week's attack.
Image: NEIL HALL/REUTERS

The Islamist behind the Westminster terror outrage was investigated by MI5 as part of a plot to blow up a British army base using a remote-controlled car.

Adrian Ajao, 52, who killed four people, including a police officer in last Wednesday's attack, is understood to have been probed six years ago over connections to four al-Qaeda-inspired terrorists.

Zahid Iqbal, Mohammed Sharfaraz Ahmed, Syed Hussain and Umar Arshad were jailed for a total of 44 years in 2013 after admitting plotting to launch an audacious bomb attack on a Territorial Army base in their home town of Luton.

Ajao had moved to the town in 2009 following two stints in Saudi Arabia, and lived just a few hundred metres from one of the ringleaders.

Ajao killed four people during his terror rampage.

It is thought the fitness fanatic and body builder may have also come into contact with members of the gang when they started preparing for a jihad at a local gym.

Following last week's attack, Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed that Ajao, who changed his name to Khalid Masood after converting to Islam, had been investigated for links to "violent extremism".

However, after carrying out a risk assessment and looking into his background, it was decided he did not pose a terror threat.

Over the weekend more information began to emerge about Ajao's recent movements.

As well as having two daughters from an earlier relationship with businesswoman Jane Harvey, with whom he lived in Northiam near Rye in East Sussex, Ajao also had a son and a daughter with recent partner Rohey Hydara.

It is understood they lived together in Birmingham, where he received benefits.

Last night police confirmed they had made a further arrest in connection with the Westminster attack after raiding a property close to Ajao's Birmingham home.

A 30-year-old man was being held on suspicion of preparation for terrorist acts.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now