A senior al-Qaeda terrorist who plotted a wave of car bomb attacks in Britain is feared to have passed on his plans to other militants from prison.

Dhiren Barot, who is serving 30 years for conspiracy to murder, wielded huge influence over other imprisoned terror suspects and tried to convert nonMuslim inmates to his brand of radical Islam.

The Times has learnt that the authorities were so concerned about his ability to radicalise other prisoners that he was moved out of Belmarsh jail in southeast London. Growing numbers of inmates were attending Friday prayers in the high-security prison, and it was believed that terrorists from different wings were using the facility to exchange messages and indoctrinate other prisoners.

Barot was transferred to Frankland jail, Durham, where he demanded to be given the right to lead Friday prayers. His demands were rejected.

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BACKGROUND

• Brown plans to double 28-day detention limit

• Men in bungled raid say police attacked again

• More than Vigilance

• 'Dirty bomb' mastermind plotted wave of atrocities across Britain

• Jihadi house parties of hate

Barot was the author of the Gas Limos Project, a plan to blow up hotels and London landmarks with stretch limousines packed with gas cylinders, petrol and nails. It was thwarted by a series of raids in August 2004.

A British Hindu who converted to Islam, Barot trained in Afghanistan under Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the architect of 9/11. He wrote a book about the need for Muslims to wage a terrorist campaign against the West. It was published in Britain under his nom de guerre, Essa al-Hindi.

Barot pleaded guilty to planning a bombing campaign in November last year. Even as his defence team attempted to mitigate for him, he insisted that his plans could and would have worked. A security source told The Times: “Nothing would delight him more than to see his plans reach fruition, even if he is behind bars.”

Counter-terrorist agencies have also been concerned that two men who absconded while under terrorist control orders have been visiting high-security inmates in Belmarsh. Lamine and Ibrahim Adam have been on the run for six weeks and the public have been told not to approach them. Their brother, Anthony Garcia, was convicted in April for his part in a fertiliser bomb plot to attack London. Zeeshan Siddiqui, another associate of the fertiliser bomb cell, is another control order absconder whose whereabouts are unknown. Siddiqui had terror training in Pakistan with members of the gang and Mohammed Sidique Khan, the leader of the 7/7 bombers.

“We thought they would all go overseas, but it is not inconceivable that, given their contacts with terrorists here, they might attempt to do something in this country,” the source said.

After sentencing Barot to life last November, Mr Justice Butterfield said that he would have to serve at least 40 years in jail. The judge said that Barot’s plans would have caused carnage on a “colossal and unprecedented scale” if successful.

He told Barot, who had worked as an airline ticketing clerk in Piccadilly: “Your intention was not simply to cause damage, panic or fear. Your intention was to murder, but it went further. It was designed to strike at the very heart of democracy and the security of the State, and, if successful, would have affected thousands personally, millions indirectly and ultimately the whole nation of the US and the UK.”

The judge added: “You have devoted most of your adult life to seeking means to bring death and destruction to the Western world.”

Key facts

3 vehicles used in terror attacks
4 meetings of Cobra, Whitehall’s emergency contingencies committee
6 number of suspects arrested
1 person under guard in critical condition in hospital
19 locations searched
450 Sporting venues advised by police in recent months on counter-terror measures
400 Shopping centres advised by police in recent months on counter-terror measures

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