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Britain warns nationals of terrorist attack

Britain issued a sharp warning to its nationals of a possible terrorist attack on key installations by "fanatical extremists" of the Al Qaida, but within minutes replaced it with a diluted version.

An early draft of a home office document warned: "Maybe they will try to develop a so-called dirty bomb, or some kind of poison gas; may be they will try to use boats or trains rather than planes. The bottom line is that we simply cannot be sure.

"They may attempt to use more familiar terrorist methods such as leaving parcel or vehicle bombs in public places, to hijacking passenger aircraft. However, they may try something different, perhaps as surprising as the attacks on the World Trade Centre and the theatre siege in Moscow."

Within minutes it was withdrawn and another version issued.

It said the government stood by the warning, but the section on the dirty bomb and poison gas was removed from the final version to ensure that people remain focused on the wider threat.

"The message we are trying to get out is that terrorists will use anything at their disposal," a spokesman said on Friday. "If you draw up a list, you are being prescriptive."

The early version was "mistakenly" distributed to journalists, the home office said, adding it was an "early draft" that had not been authorised by the home secretary.

Extra security will be mounted for the Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Sunday and for the State Opening of Parliament next Wednesday.

Large crowds attend the two ceremonies, where virtually the entire establishment, including the Queen, the prime minister and the cabinet, are on public show.

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