THE alleged ringleader of an Australian group arrested over an apparent plot to stage an attack modelled on the July 7 London bombings is believed to be a follower of Abu Qatada, the radical Muslim cleric described as the spiritual leader of Al-Qaeda in Europe, who is facing deportation from Britain.

Abdul Nacer Benbrika, a hardline cleric, and 17 other men were detained on terrorism charges in Sydney and Melbourne last week. Police claim the Sydney arm of the alleged cell had stockpiled enough chemicals to make at least 15 large bombs.

Their targets are believed to have included the city’s Manly ferry terminal and several train stations. The police raided suspects’ homes on Tuesday in the belief that preparations were so advanced that the bombs could have been produced within days.

Reports this weekend suggested that Melbourne-based Benbrika started following Al-Qaeda after hearing a sermon by Abu Qatada in the state of Victoria in 1994.

Abu Qatada had been invited to Australia by another Melbourne cleric and the reports said his words had inspired Benbrika to teach a radical interpretation of Islam.

A senior Muslim told The Australian newspaper that Abu Qatada was “radical and politicised — we had never heard this stuff before. His impact was enormous and that is where it all began. This is how the ideology of (Benbrika) entered Australia. Prior to Abu Qatada’s visit, most radicals were just normal guys”.

Abu Qatada is facing deportation from Britain to Jordan, which has convicted him in absentia on terrorism charges. He was granted asylum in 1994 but was detained in October 2002 and sent to Belmarsh prison.

Investigators have linked Abu Qatada with terrorist cells in Spain, France, Italy and Belgium.

Australian police are investigating so-called “copycat” links between the alleged Sydney plot and the London bombs, focusing on a type of explosive known as “mother of Satan” and believed to have been favoured by both groups.

Police allege that a bungalow in Lakemba, a suburb of Sydney, was being used as a bomb factory. Officers seized chemicals they believe were intended to be used to make triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a crystal explosive linked to the London bombs.

A Sydney chemical supplier alerted police to suspect purchases of TATP ingredients in July.

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