Brussels terror cell ‘discussed launching attacks in Britain’

The Brussels bombers were preparing potential atrocities on British soil, security and intelligence sources in this country have confirmed.

Investigators questioning Mohamed Abrini, the prime suspect in last month’s bombings in Belgium, have also identified previously unknown links between the terror cell and Britain.

Belgian prosecutors revealed at the weekend how the terrorists intended to launch a fresh strike in France following November’s attacks in Paris – but mounted attacks in Brussels instead after being surprised by a fast-moving investigation.

Abrini is known to have travelled to the UK last year where he met with contacts in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

The computer files show the bomber discussed attacks in “other European countries” besides Belgium, starting with France. “Great Britain is also mentioned as a potential target,” a Continental intelligence source said.

A Whitehall source said the discussions involving British targets were aspirational rather than specific plots. 

BFM TV, the French rolling new channel also said investigators obtained a taped conversation between Najim Laachraoui, the suspected bomb maker for the Paris and Brussels attacks, and a “foreign contact” in which Britain is also mentioned.

The contact was not understood to be based in Britain but may have been a “mastermind” working out of Syria.

However, the pair decided the UK was “too complicated to strike, that Belgium should remain their operational base and so they should hit France”.

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