This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-12520483

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
7/7 inquests: MI5 officer giving evidence 7/7 inquests: MI5 'not responsible for attack'
(40 minutes later)
A senior member of MI5 has begun giving evidence at the inquests into the deaths of 52 people killed in the 7/7 terrorist bombings in London in 2005. MI5's chief of staff has told the 7 July inquests that the security service cannot be held responsible for the 2005 London suicide attacks.
The officer, who is being referred to as Witness G, will be asked whether the attacks could have been prevented. Giving evidence anonymously, Witness G said the agency had no inkling of what was to hit London and every member of the service feels profound regret.
The bereaved families in court are able to see him but reporters in a nearby annex can only hear his voice. It would be "nonsensical and offensive" to suggest MI5 bore any responsibility for the 52 deaths, the officer said.
Families of the bereaved are in court to see Witness G give evidence.
But reporters in a nearby annex can only hear his voice.
Four suicide bombers detonated their devices on three Tube trains and a double decker bus on 7 July 2005.Four suicide bombers detonated their devices on three Tube trains and a double decker bus on 7 July 2005.
Witness G - who has worked for the security services since 1991 - has been chief-of-staff to the director general of M15, currently Jonathan Evans, since 2005.
He will face questions about a key moment months before the bombings, when the security service came across two of the terrorists during an investigation into another plot.
'Significant day'
Many of the relatives of those who died want to know why those under surveillance were not subjected to detailed scrutiny.Many of the relatives of those who died want to know why those under surveillance were not subjected to detailed scrutiny.
MI5 has always maintained it did not uncover any intelligence that would have identified the pair as potential suicide bombers. 'No guarantees'
BBC correspondent Peter Hunt says it will be a significant day as the senior MI5 officer will sit in the witness box and be questioned in public. Witness G, who acts as chief of staff the services director general Jonathan Evans, said he had spent between three and four months preparing for the inquests, carefully reviewing what M15 knew about the bombers before they attacked.
The inquests have already heard that the ringleader Mohammad Sidique Khan appeared on the periphery of another investigation into 2004 - but the security service concluded at the time he was not a threat to the UK.
Questioned by Hugo Keith QC, counsel to the inquests counsel to the inquests, Witness G briefly outlined the scale of the threats to the UK during 2004 and 2005.
Mr Keith said: "The security service had no inkling of what was going to befall London?"
"On 7th July 2005, that is correct," said Witness G, "it would be nonsensical and offensive".
Witness G said there were "no guarantees" in national security because the security service could not foil all of the attacks all of the time.
Mr Keith said: "I understand that the security service says... That the service cannot be held responsible for causing or contributing to the attacks?"
Witness G replied: "That is correct".
Mr Keith went on: "And you reject he assertion that there were significant intelligence failings?"
Witness G replied: "I do."
Last month, the coroner Lady Justice Hallett granted a request from Home Secretary Theresa May for Witness G to give evidence with anonymity.Last month, the coroner Lady Justice Hallett granted a request from Home Secretary Theresa May for Witness G to give evidence with anonymity.
But she refused to rule that the witness should be screened from the families of those who died.But she refused to rule that the witness should be screened from the families of those who died.
The attacks were carried out by suicide bombers Mohammad Sidique Khan, 30, Shehzad Tanweer, 22, Hasib Hussain, 18, and Jermaine Lindsay, 19.The attacks were carried out by suicide bombers Mohammad Sidique Khan, 30, Shehzad Tanweer, 22, Hasib Hussain, 18, and Jermaine Lindsay, 19.
They targeted Tube trains at Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Square and a bus in Tavistock Square.They targeted Tube trains at Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Square and a bus in Tavistock Square.