ONE was the white, middle-class son of Tory activists. The other had Caribbean roots and a traditional Christian upbringing.

Now, Don Stewart-Whyte and Brian Young, both from the stockbroker belt of Buckinghamshire and recent converts to Islam, are being questioned by detectives about their possible links to the alleged terrorist network.

One resident said that a police officer had told them they had uncovered a bomb detonator in the undergrowth of King’s Wood in High Wycombe. With more than five people from the town arrested in connection with the alleged plot to blow up aircraft, questions were being asked as to whether the community had become a breeding ground for Islamic extremism.

Dorothea Stewart-Whyte, a regular Methodist Church worshipper who ensured that her son was educated at a wellreputed local grammar school, may well have been bewildered by his change of faith.

His academic performances at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School were said to have suffered after the death of his father, Douglas, a Tory agent at Westminister, nine years ago.Along with his sister, Heidi, Donald Douglas Stewart-Whyte is believed to have converted to the faith they learnt about from Asian friends.

He was born in Eastbourne, the son of a Canadian garage manager and a PE teacher. His half-sister, from his father’s first marriage, is the model Heather Stewart-Whyte, the former wife of Yannick Noah, the French tennis player.

Don, 20, changed his name to Abdul Waheed, grew a beard and started wearing traditional Islamic dress. He recently married a Muslim girl in a ceremony in a local mosque.

Police were yesterday guarding the semi-detached house he had shared with his mother. His mother is thought to have been on holiday in Scotland.

His Asian friends insisted that he was not involved in the alleged terrorist plot. Raheel Bashir, 18, a college friend, said: “I am really shocked. I used to know him about the stage that he read up about our religion. I used to go to Amersham College with him and never saw him as dangerous.”

Sue Hynan, of Wycombe Conservative Association, said: “I am really just stunned. Dorothea has canvassed for us over a number of years. She is a staple member of the community. High Wycombe has always had a representation of Asian candidates.”

Fears were growing that the arrests would undermine what has traditionally been regarded as a successfully integrated community, with a Muslim community that has produced one of the country’s first Asian mayors. Of High Wycombe’s population of 81,000, 6 per cent are of Pakistani origin.

Chaudhary Allah Ditta, a Buckinghamshire County Councillor, said the raids and arrests had shocked the community. “We just cannot believe what has gone on. It’s a great shame for the community. We have built up religious harmony for a long, long time.

“This sort of scenario will only lead us again to the situation where we have to build our trust with each other. It’s a very close-knit community, more like a village.”

While most of the other suspects’ parents came to Britain from Pakistan, Brian Young’s, Sylvia and Lemuel left the Caribbean island of St Vincent for a better life in the UK.

They moved to High Wycombe and married there in 1965. Their son was born 12 years later at Wycombe General Hospital. Three years ago he shunned his Christian upbringing to study the Koran, changing his name to Umar Islam.

When asked about her son’s arrest, Mrs Young said: “I don’t even believe it.” His father, a crane-driver, said that the 28-year-old had left the family home, and is believed to have moved to London. “I don’t know exactly where he lives these days, and I haven’t spoken to him for some time,” he said.

Parkhash Dhanjal, 62, a neighbour, said: “Brian married a Muslim girl and they have a baby together.”

Seven officers were yesterday guarding a house in Barking, East London, which had been raided early on Thursday.

Residents near King’s Wood claimed last night that bomb disposal experts had discovered a detonating device after digging in woodland.

Police refused to confirm the find.

THE VIEW FROM AMERICA

This incident proves that the way to fight terror is good police work, not a “war”. I realize Bush wouldn’t have been able to strut around in a flight suit, but we’d be safer today

Lawrence E. Ackert

The Administration will use this foiled plot to scare Americans into “staying the course”. Homeland Security is touting [it] as a success . . . Ironically this Administration never did squash al-Qaeda or bin Laden

Lana Abrams

Yet another summertime plot by the right wing to boost their poll numbers. Bush has no credibility and neither does Blair. They’ve pulled this stunt before

Jenny

No liquids or gels? Soon we’ll have to arrive at the airport two days in advance, endure cavity searches and fingerprinting, and have to board the aircraft nude. Looking forward to it. We are not winning . . .

Kevin Branson

The fact this was foiled by British authorities makes me take it seriously. If it was a US-only announcement of some foiled terror plot, I would regard it as just another bit of cynical White House political opportunism

Greg Nathaniel

After being met with growling security dogs, harassing ticketing counter agents, crass and menacing security agents, full body cavity searches and strip searches only to be offered shoeless, gagged, thirsty and blind-folded trans-Atlantic flights, will we then truly fly any safer? I doubt it

Chris Force

Very skeptical, on what really is going on. If indeed, a terrorist attack was uncovered then “kudos”. But, could this be all created by the UK and the US Government to gain public support for backing Israel on its so-called fight against terrorism?

Bill P

Could it be possible that this was vigilant police work that saved lives, you doubt junkies? Come on people. Quit being so cynical and opportunistic about sharing your anti-Bush/anti-Blair hatred. People’s lives were saved ... we should be thankful

Bryan

All views taken from the New York Times website

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