THREE Islamist terror suspects who were arrested in northwest England on Friday night planned to leave the country under the cover of a humanitarian convoy to Gaza led by George Galloway, the maverick MP, senior police sources said.

The three suspects were among nine men arrested in a joint operation by police and MI5 while they were driving two vans on the M65 near Preston, Lancashire. Six were later released and three men, aged 26, 29 and 36, remained in custody last night.

The men had been under surveillance for some time as part of what police described as “an ongoing intelligence-led operation”. Although details of the surveillance remain unclear, one source said the men were believed to be planning a terrorist operation abroad.

Police sources said the men were driving to Ramsgate to join a “Valentine’s Day convoy” of 110 vehicles due to leave the port yesterday.

The relief convoy is being led by Galloway, the Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow. It comprises hundreds of volunteers and has the backing of various Muslim groups.

The MP aims to deliver £1m of aid to Gaza, which is facing a humanitarian crisis after Israel’s military offensive.

Photographs of the arrest scene showed a van bearing an image of a Palestinian flag.

There is no suggestion that Galloway or any of the convoy’s organisers knew of the men’s plans.

Patrick Mercer, chairman of the Commons counter-terrorism committee, said the arrests highlighted concerns about the alleged international links of UK-based terrorist suspects.

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