‘Substantial material’ found in British terror probe

“Police and the security authorities are content that their investigation is rewarding substantial material which would allow them to take forward the judicial process,” Reid said in an interview with ABC-TV’s This Week.

“The police and the authorities are convinced that there was an alleged plot here. They have intervened. And in the course of the next few days, we’ll wait and see what happens in terms of charges.”

Investigators have until Monday to question two suspects, and until Wednesday to interview 21 others. Officers may seek to hold the suspects for a maximum of 28 days before charging them. To keep suspects they still wish to question in custody, police must ask a judge to extend the current deadlines.

London’s Metropolitan police said on Monday it could not confirm if officers would make any application to continue to detain the two suspects due to be released under the current deadlines.

In Pakistan, law enforcement officials are continuing to interrogate Rashid Rauf, a Briton of Pakistani descent, over his alleged key role in the plot, officials said.

Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao said British police were conducting inquiries in Pakistan, but were not involved in the questioning of the Rauf.

DAVID STRINGER