Brit ‘terror suspects’ might sue police for false detention over unproven plot against Pope

LONDON - Six terror suspects arrested over an alleged plot to attack the Pope Benedict XVI, could sue the police after being released without charge, detectives fear.

According to the Daily Mail, counter-terrorism officers at Veolia depot in central London detained six street cleaners after police received intelligence report suggesting they were planning an atrocity against the Pope.

However, they were freed on Saturday, after police failed to gather evidence to support their suspicions.

The concern among senior officers and counter terrorism officials is that the men could try to take legal action against the Met for unlawful arrest and detention.

“The intelligence which prompted these arrests was received very late in the day and detectives had only a few hours to assess the quality of it before taking action,” a security source said.

“As far as the Met are concerned, the arrests were proportionate and justified, but there is a strong feeling that the legal-aid vultures will soon be circling around this case,” the source added.

The men, of North African origin, were reportedly jokingly discussing how to harm the Pope in a work canteen, which was overheard by one of their colleagues who informed counter-terrorism officers, leading to their arrest. (ANI)