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MI5 have stuck to their story about what they knew about plot leader Mohammed Siddique Khan (MSK, right) before the 7/7 London bombs. Yes, he had cropped up on the periphery of other more urgent investigations, but they certainly did not know his identity.
This line was repeated to the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee Investigation. It also forms the centrepiece of 'Rumours and Realities', a document designed for release on MI5's website once the (legally restricted) details of what they are supposed to have known become public - imminently.
One by one, unfair, unfounded suspicions about the agency's poor performance in the run-up to the bombs are to be rubbished.
Most important, they will seek to quash the most damaging 'rumour' that far from just cropping up on the periphery, MSK's identity
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| The agency is out to quash the damaging rumour that they had Khan under surveillance |
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was known to
MI5 and they were suspicious enough to place him under
surveillance.
The 'periphery' excuse always stretched things. In MSK's case, being on the periphery included sitting with a known bomber for hours in a car going up the M1 as the spooks listened in. But because the conversation seemed confined to general Jihadist housekeeping matters and credit card scams there was no reason to follow him up and divert resources away from known plotters.
With enough aggressive off-the-record briefing and spin, MI5 were confident that pleading lack of resources would achieve the first aim of any self-respecting intelligence bureaucracy - cover your backside.
As is the way with most cover-ups - even ones that have absorbed as much time, ingenuity and expense as this - the runners are currently coming off the toboggan. 'Sources' suggest an urgent cut and paste job is required on 'Rumours and Realities'.
Next to the words 'MI5 knew MSK's identity and had him under surveillance' delete 'rumour' and insert 'reality'. 
- THE SPOOK
FIRST POSTED MARCH 29, 2007
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