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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 7/7 inquests: MI5 'not responsible for attack' | 7/7 inquests: MI5 'not responsible for attack' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| It would be "nonsensical and offensive" to suggest MI5 bore any responsibility for the 52 deaths, the officer said. | 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. | Families of the bereaved are in court to see Witness G give evidence. |
| But reporters in a nearby annex can only hear his voice. | 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. |
| 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. |
| 'No guarantees' | 'No guarantees' |
| Witness G, who acts as chief of staff for the service's 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. | 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. | 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?" | 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". | "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. | 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?" | 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". | Witness G replied: "That is correct". |
| Mr Keith went on: "And you reject he assertion that there were significant intelligence failings?" | Mr Keith went on: "And you reject he assertion that there were significant intelligence failings?" |
| Witness G replied: "I do." | 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. |