Three on Westminster copycat charges

THREE Muslim men were accused yesterday of plotting a deadly copycat attack on Westminster.

The trio were allegedly secretly recorded discussing using explosives, guns, knives and vehicles for ‘mass murder’. They are suspected of targeting key sites across London.

Vast quantities of extremist material were found on some of their phones, computers and a USB storage fob, and police believe the alleged terror cell was inspired by Khalid Masood, who left four dead on Westminster Bridge before fatally stabbing a police officer in March. Islamic scholar Umar Ahmed Haque, 24, Muhammad Abid, 26, and 18-year-old Abuthaher Mamun were arrested in raids across east London last week. They appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with offences under the Terrorism Acts 2000 and 2006.

A fourth man, Nadeem Ilyas Patel, 25, appeared alongside them charged with attempting to supply them with a firearm. The men’s lawyers did not apply for bail and Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot remanded them in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on June 9.