EU agrees `liquid bomb' research

Aug 17 2006 By The Journal

European ministers yesterday agreed to spend £237,000 on urgent research into the detection of liquid explosives.

The decision came after Home Secretary John Reid briefed his EU counterparts on the alleged plot to bring down transatlantic jets.

Internet websites that "incite" acts of terrorism or carry bomb-making instructions could also be blocked under measures discussed during their meeting.

A Home Office spokeswoman said the ministers had decided the EU needed a wider review of how much money was spent on research into counter-terrorism.

The alleged plot foiled last week is believed to have involved liquid explosives being smuggled on to planes from Heathrow, possibly in sports drinks bottles.

The spokeswoman said: "Later this year the Commission will be looking into a longer-term programme of research and how much of its e200million budget for research will go into this field."

After hosting the informal talks in London yesterday, Mr Reid warned that the current terror threat was Europe-wide and needed to be tackled on an international level.

The interior ministers were briefed by MI5 director general Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller and the head of special operations at Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman.