One of the three people arrested in Ealing on suspicion of terrorism offences has been released.

A 30-year-old woman who had been questioned by officers since Thursday (5th July) was released without charge on Saturday, 7 July.

Officers from the MPS Counter Terrorism Command arrested seven people in connection with an ongoing investigation. Three were in Ealing, Three in East London and one woman in Hackney.

Three people have now been released.

Yesterday warrants for further detention of the remaining four were granted at Westminster Magistrates' Court - they expire on 19th July.

One of the arrested men has been named as Richard Dart. He was detained on an Ealing street. The 29 year old white Muslim convert had appeared last year in a video using the name Salahuddin Al Britani vowing to disrupt the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Dart appeared on a Channel 4 documentary 'My Brother The Islamist' in which he criticised the UK and claimed to be living rent free. He is reported to have previously worked as a security guard at the BBC.

It is understood the arrests relate to a possible plot involving Islamist extremists, with potential UK targets.

A 21-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were detained at separate addresses in Ealing.

Three people - two men from Newham and the women from Ealing have now been released.

Security sources described the arrests as "significant."

Some - if not all - of those arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism are British nationals, the BBC says.

The arrests are not linked to the Olympics or Paralympics, police added.

 

12th July 2012