Olympic terror group hunted

BRITISH security forces were last night hunting a group of Islamic terrorists intent on wreaking havoc during the Olympic Games. Security sources have told the Sunday Express that 15 to 20 terror suspects entered Britain from France in the past week.

The warning, issued by the Renseignements Généraux, France’s equivalent to MI5, was given to British MI6 agents in Toulouse, south-west France, examining the home of extremist gunman Mohamed Merah, 23.

The security officers were searching for a UK link on the killer’s computers. According to sources French RG officials then revealed that up to 20 out of 50 known terror suspects had slipped out of France for Britain.

Last night MI5 were on a highlevel alert after fears sleeper cells already based in the UK are poised to strike. Fears grew over individuals who have secured Leave to Remain status since coming to Britain at least five years ago from Iraq, Kurdistan, Afghanistan and North Africa. Most of the “cleanskins” are believed to be working for local authorities as cleaners, hospital porters or taxi drivers.

They obtain Certificates of Good Contact, a police check that establishes they have no criminal record in Britain, giving them the perfect cover until called upon.

One security source said yesterday: “We went through a period when hundreds were entering Britain every week through Heathrow and many were not challenged or detained.

“It is all too easy for these individuals to gain employment with local authorities or the National Health Service, which are under pressure to provide staff cheaply and quickly. Once KILLER: Mohamed Merah, right, met British Jihadists they enter this slipstream it is difficult to keep track. They keep on the right side of the law and generally do not draw attention to themselves. That is why they are referred to as ‘clean-skins’.”

Last night it was revealed that Merah was in touch with British Jihadists preparing terrorist atrocities across the world.

French security sources said Merah met British-based Islamic extremists in Afghanistan in 2010.

At the time Merah was using the codename ‘Youssef Toulouse’, which was passed to UK authorities. Jund al-khalifah, an Al Qaeda splinter group, admitted to working with a “Youssef the Frenchman” – believed to be Mehar. “Not only were members of these groups in touch with British Jidhadists while in Europe, but they would have met them in Afghanistan,” said another security source in Paris. Merah killed three paratroopers, a Rabbi and three Jewish children. He was shot dead by special

forces in Toulouse.