Judge criticises 21/7 trial delay

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The judge in the 21 July trial has said a further delay has shown the criminal justice system in a "very poor light".

Mr Justice Fulford told the jury at Woolwich Crown Court that a defence expert would not be able to continue giving evidence until Monday.

He said the prosecution need more time to consider scientific evidence from Professor Hans Michels.

Six men all deny charges of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life.

Investigation planned

The judge said: "This reflects very badly on the administration of justice.

"That a case of this kind, a case of any kind, should be delayed for this reason shows up our criminal justice system in a very poor light.

"I intend to thoroughly investigate what has gone wrong at the end of this trial."

The judge said the delay was not the fault of one of the accused, Muktar Said Ibrahim, who instructed Professor Michels, or his counsel.

The six men are accused of attempting to carry out suicide bombings on London's public transport system on 21 July 2005.

They are Mr Ibrahim, 29, from Stoke Newington, north London; Manfu Kwaku Asiedu, 33 and Hussein Osman, 28, both of no fixed address; Yassin Omar, 26, of New Southgate, north London; Ramzi Mohammed, 25, of North Kensington, west London; and Adel Yahya, 24, of Tottenham, north London.

The trial was adjourned until Monday.