Fifth man held in PM death plot probe

Detectives investigating a suspected plot to kill the Prime Minister have arrested a fifth man.

A 29-year-old man was arrested in Derby yesterday for alleged offences under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Officers are searching an address in Derby, which will take several days.

The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation by Greater Manchester Police Counter Terrorism Unit and Lancashire Police.

Five men are now being held in custody. Three were arrested at Manchester Airport and in Accrington on 14 August, and a fourth was detained in Blackburn yesterday.

The fifth arrest comes 13 days after police detained three men, aged 21, 22 and 23. Two were held at Manchester Airport as they were about to board a flight to Finland. A third was arrested in Accrington, Lancashire.

Detectives have until tomorrow to charge or release them, or seek an extension to their custody.

The fourth man, a 24-year-old arrested in Blackburn yesterday, is believed to be a white Muslim convert.

Police sources said officers were investigating threats to kill Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

It is understood no actual plot was in place but that officers discovered a written threat on an extremist jihadi website earlier this year.