Terror cell accused 'lacked courage to admit their plot'

A group of men accused of plotting eight suicide bombings in Britain did not have the courage to admit their actions, a court heard.

Ashik Ali and Irfan Khalid, both 27, and Irfan Naseer, 31, all jobless and from Birmingham, denied any knowledge of an attack when questioned by police, Woolwich Crown Court heard. But Mr Ali told detectives he thought they were going "to test something".

Brian Altman, QC, prosecuting, said: "He told police the plan had been 'to put on a jacket and have a gun'. What he said he meant was a suicide vest and that he would shoot people with a gun."

The defendants deny 12 charges between them and trial continues.