Whistleblower fired over attack on FBI criticism

An FBI whistleblower, Sibel Edmonds, was fired from her job as a translator because of allegations she made about the bureau's inefficiency and corruption, an internal investigation has found.

In a leaked letter, the FBI's director, Robert Mueller, said that the investigation by the Justice Department's inspector general concluded that Mrs Edmonds' accusations were "a contributing factor in why the FBI terminated her services".

Earlier this year Mrs Edmonds, a Turkish American, told The Independent that she had seen evidence that showed the FBI was warned in the spring of 2001 that al-Qa'ida was planning to attack the US with planes. She was dismissed from her position two years earlier after complaining that the department produced inaccurate and incomplete translations of intelligence information.

The US Government appears to have been tryingto silence Mrs Edmonds. Not only has it ruled that the inspector general's report remain classified but it has blocked her from providing evidence to help families of 11 September victims who are suing the Saudi government. Mr Mueller's letter was leaked to The New York Times.