Three held after fire at publisher

Three men have been held under the Terrorism Act after a suspected petrol bombing at the publishing office which released a controversial novel, 'The Jewel of Medina', about the prophet Muhammad and a child bride.

The suspects, aged 22, 30 and 40, were arrested by armed police early yesterday in Islington, north London. It followed a fire at the offices of Gibson Square publishers, which is run by director Martin Rynja.

Police said the arrests followed an intelligence operation. Four properties in east London were subsequently searched and a woman was arrested yesterday afternoon on suspicion of obstructing their investigation.