Bomber had planned device for months

THE Liverpool bomber had been buying bomb components since at least April, police have revealed.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said that Iraq-born Emad Al Swealmeen had rented a property in Liverpool seven months ago and had started making “relevant purchases” for his homemade bomb “at least” since that time.

Yesterday, a Royal Logistics Corp bomb disposal vehicle arrived at the city’s Boaler Street, along with a fire engine, after a police cordon in nearby Sutcliffe Street – where officers believe Al Swealmeen previously lived – was extended and residents living within it were told they could not return home. Police said this was to “allow officers to make an assessment of materials found in a property that we’ve been searching”, adding: “This is only as a precaution.”

Mr Jackson also said that the 32-year-old asylum seeker had suffered from periods of mental illness that will “form part of the investigation and will take some time to fully understand”.

■ The Home Secretary has come under fire for making “grotesque” comments in the wake of the bombing and faces accusations of stoking anger against lawyers.

Priti Patel claimed Al Swealmeen, who lodged an appeal when his asylum claim was rejected after arriving in the UK, had exploited Britain’s “dysfunctional” immigration system by staying in the country, adding “It’s a complete merry-goround and it has been exploited.”

Law Society of England and Wales president Stephanie Boyce said: “When people are subject to a life or death decision, they should have a right of appeal to make sure of a correct outcome.

“People seeking asylum through the UK’s labyrinthine immigration system need the expert advice of lawyers to have their claim properly represented.”