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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/04/isis-agent-tried-to-recruit-undercover-reporter-for-london-bridge-attack
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| Isis agent tried to recruit undercover reporter for London Bridge attack | Isis agent tried to recruit undercover reporter for London Bridge attack |
| (5 days later) | |
| An Islamic State agent tried to persuade an undercover reporter to carry out an attack on London Bridge, a year before eight people were killed and dozens injured at the landmark, it has been claimed. | An Islamic State agent tried to persuade an undercover reporter to carry out an attack on London Bridge, a year before eight people were killed and dozens injured at the landmark, it has been claimed. |
| A special report by BBC Inside Out London said the agent had encouraged one of its journalists to target London Bridge, suggesting he could do it alone or in a group. | A special report by BBC Inside Out London said the agent had encouraged one of its journalists to target London Bridge, suggesting he could do it alone or in a group. |
| The same agent also revealed explicit terrorist tutorials on the dark web with details the BBC said bore striking similarities to the attack on London Bridge on 3 June, in which all three assailants – Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22 – were shot and killed by police at the scene. | The same agent also revealed explicit terrorist tutorials on the dark web with details the BBC said bore striking similarities to the attack on London Bridge on 3 June, in which all three assailants – Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22 – were shot and killed by police at the scene. |
| In a special report on Islamist-inspired extremism researched over two years, the undercover journalist used Twitter to make contact with Birmingham-born jihadi and Isis recruiter Junaid Hussain. | In a special report on Islamist-inspired extremism researched over two years, the undercover journalist used Twitter to make contact with Birmingham-born jihadi and Isis recruiter Junaid Hussain. |
| Speaking through an encrypted messaging site, 21-year-old Hussain said he could help to train the undercover reporter on how to make bombs at home. | Speaking through an encrypted messaging site, 21-year-old Hussain said he could help to train the undercover reporter on how to make bombs at home. |
| When Hussain, from Birmingham, was killed by a US army drone in the Syrian city of Raqqa in 2015, another recruiter made contact with the reporter to continue the conversation. He detailed a plot to assassinate a police officer, including how to obtain firearms and bullets. | When Hussain, from Birmingham, was killed by a US army drone in the Syrian city of Raqqa in 2015, another recruiter made contact with the reporter to continue the conversation. He detailed a plot to assassinate a police officer, including how to obtain firearms and bullets. |
| The reporter said: “In July 2016, we discovered that the terrorist organisation was touting on Twitter and Facebook for British Muslims to stage attacks at specific London locations. | The reporter said: “In July 2016, we discovered that the terrorist organisation was touting on Twitter and Facebook for British Muslims to stage attacks at specific London locations. |
| “We began conversing with one of their recruiters, who then invited us to chat privately on a secret messaging site. The authorities were fully aware of our contact with the terrorist organisation.” | “We began conversing with one of their recruiters, who then invited us to chat privately on a secret messaging site. The authorities were fully aware of our contact with the terrorist organisation.” |
| The revelation came as a separate poll conducted by Inside Out found that 90% of the 6,546 people surveyed across England believed there would be more terror attacks. | The revelation came as a separate poll conducted by Inside Out found that 90% of the 6,546 people surveyed across England believed there would be more terror attacks. |
| When asked whether they felt more or less safe in public spaces compared with 12 months ago, 29% said they felt less safe, and 10% thought they, a family member or a good friend could be killed or wounded in a terrorist attack. | When asked whether they felt more or less safe in public spaces compared with 12 months ago, 29% said they felt less safe, and 10% thought they, a family member or a good friend could be killed or wounded in a terrorist attack. |
| Fifty-two per cent said they thought the security services should be given more powers to tackle terrorism, even at the expense of individual privacy. | Fifty-two per cent said they thought the security services should be given more powers to tackle terrorism, even at the expense of individual privacy. |
| Inside Out London will be broadcast on BBC1 at 7.30pm on Monday | Inside Out London will be broadcast on BBC1 at 7.30pm on Monday |