Mounting Evidence Terror "Plot" Was Exaggerated

Daily Mail: Briton in Pakistan Could Be Innocent

After two weeks of terrorism hype that neatly coincided with a pre-planned Republican PR thurst, the airlines "terror plot" uncovered in Britain appears to be unravelling. As with terrorism hoaxes in the past, the weak link is Pakistani. The Daily Mail reports:

The Briton alleged to be the ‘mastermind’ behind the airline terror plot could be innocent of any significant involvement, sources close to the investigation claim.

Rashid Rauf, whose detention in Pakistan was the trigger for the arrest of 23 suspects in Britain, has been accused of taking orders from Al Qaeda’s ‘No3’ in Afghanistan and sending money back to the UK to allow the alleged bombers to buy plane tickets.

But after two weeks of interrogation, an inch-by-inch search of his house and analysis of his home computer, officials are now saying that his extradition is ‘a way down the track’ if it happens at all.

It comes amid wider suspicions that the plot may not have been as serious, or as far advanced, as the authorities initially claimed.

Analysts suspect Pakistani authorities exaggerated Rauf’s role to appear ‘tough on terrorism’ and impress Britain and America.

Perhaps the Pakistanis want to appear tough on terrorism, or perhaps they are paid for uncovering terrorism plots on cue.