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Outrage over airport bomber’s letter from jail

Glasgow Airport was attacked in 2007. Pic: Thomas Nugent

A CONVICTED Glasgow airport bomber appears to be trying to raise funds from members of the public to help a fellow terrorist behind bars.

Dr Bilal Abdullah’s letter asking for funds for another prisoner who he says was ‘in real need’ has led to calls for an inquiry into funding for terrorists.

In a letter to a supporter, the former NHS medic says he has no financial worries because his family give him ‘full support.’

But he says Yassin Omar, convicted of a botched attempt to repeat the 7/7 bombings, ‘relies completely on his prison wages.”

In the letter dated 18 December 2011, Abdullah says money should be sent to ‘many brothers who are in real need.’

He says: “I know Yassin Omar does not receive any help from outside and relies completely on his prison wages.”

The letter also advises supporters to send in ‘books, novel reviews, pleasant and gentle poems, short stories and articles from well known magazines or newspapers,’ rather than Islamic or political literature.

Prison wages are around £10 a week, and can be spent on cigarettes and personal items.

Abdullah drove a Jeep packed with gas canisters into Glasgow airport in June 2007.

His fellow terrorist Kafeel Ahmed died after setting himself on fire, the only death in the attack which damaged the front of the airport building.

He was also involved in placing car bombs around a night club in London the day before, which failed to detonate.

Reacting to the letter, Glasgow MP Tom Harris said: “It is shocking enough that people who are not in prison can solicit funds for terrorists.

“It’s even more unbelievable that convicted terrorists can take part in this kind of activity.

“This man is a convicted terrorist who had no thought at all for the lives of his fellow Scots. I think all victims and potential victims of the Glasgow airport bombings will be absolutely appalled. “

He called for ministers to look into the situation urgently.

A prison service spokesman said: “Any funds which may be from an illegitimate source or used for an illegitimate purpose must be withheld pending investigation.

“Where there are concerns that letters going to third parties may relate to criminal activity, this would be investigated with the police.”

The letter appeared on a website called muslimprisoners.com, which published letters from the leaders of almost every major terrorist plot in Britain.

The site was set up by Abdul Muhid, a former member of the extremist group Al-Muhajiroun, which is now banned.

The letters have now been taken down. Muhid has said in the past he does not condone the prisoner’s acts and he would delete anything that would amount to incitement.

He was jailed in 2007 for soliciting to murder after protesting the Danish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad.

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