Eric Moonman

                                                                     


Thursday 15th 2008f May 2008

Are our judges living on the same planet as everybody else? A terror suspect who scored a legal victory against the government is a senior al-Qaeda operative living openly in the UK, security agencies say.

The media and many politicians have been shocked by the judge’s ruling that the financial sanctions imposed on Mr. G by the Treasury, which led to his bank account being frozen, were unfair and unlawful. Mr Justice Collins said that the government had acted illegally by devising financial sanctions without consulting Parliament. The accused can’t be identified, hence G. What’s the story?

The security services described G as a ‘key player’ who acts as a conduit between British-based extremists and the al-Qaeda leadership hiding out in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, The Times has seen files alleging that the man is involved in recruiting and radicalising young Muslims in Britain and organising travel to Pakistan and Iraq for would-be jihadis.

G is understood to be the subject of round-the-clock surveillance by the police and MI5. He denies any involvement in terrorism and maintains that he is a Muslim missionary on behalf of an apolitical, non-violent religious group.



• Whether you were disappointed or joyous at the outcome of the London Mayoral election, Andrew Gilligan’s articles in the Evening Standard were priceless. And very funny. Take this report:

“One of the great mysteries of the Livingstone campaign is the way it has rushed to embrace so many of the most unpopular people in Britain. Gordon Brown, fresh from his triumph over the 10p tax band, has been seen with Ken at least twice. If I was seeking re-election, I would walk to Cockfosters in my bare feet to avoid being caught in front of the same TV camera as Gordon.

“Then there’s Ed (Balls), Hazel (Blears), and now Tony and Alastair, apropos of whom a Livingstone ‘source’ told The Guardian: ‘You only have to see the importance [Ken’s] campaign gives to issues like opposing the war in Iraq… to understand the character of his campaign.’

“Would that be the same Tony Blair who actually started the war in Iraq, or a totally different one? All we need now is Heather Mills, Paul Burrell and Michael Winner to back Ken and we’ve got the full set”.

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