Preacherman
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From the British TV station Sky News (http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1075720,00.html):
LETHAL TOXIN DISCOVERED
Anti-terrorist police are questioning six men after discovering traces of the highly toxic poison ricin in London.
The toxin, to which there is no antidote, has been linked to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network.
It causes massive damage to internal organs, and normally kills within three days of ingestion.
The men are of north African origin. They were arrested by anti-terrorist branch officers in north and east London on Sunday.
Scotland Yard said equipment and materials were found at an address in Wood Green in north London, where one of the man was also arrested. A woman also arrested has since been released.
Assassination
Ricin was the poison used to murder Bulgarian exile Georgi Markov in a poisoned umbrella assassination in London in 1978.
Public health workers throughout the NHS have been alerted to be on the lookout for symptoms of ricin exposure in patients.
It is understood that so far no-one has been to a doctor showing any signs of having been in contact with the toxin.
Today's news comes weeks after security sources warned of a possible terror attack involving London underground.
Statement
In a joint statement, anti-terrorist chief David Veness and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Pat Troop said: "A small amount of the material recovered from the Wood Green premises has been tested positive for the presence of ricin poison.
"Our primary concern is the safety of the public and the police have worked closely with the Department of Health throughout.
"The Department is now alerting the health service, including primary care, about these developments.
"It is also ensuring that the health service is able to provide advice to the public, including through NHS Direct.
Investigations
The statement adds: "Intensive police investigations are continuing and forensic analysis of the premises in Wood Green will take some time to complete.
"While our message is still 'alert not alarm', we would re-iterate our earlier appeals for the public to remain vigilant and aware and report anything suspicious to police.
Terrorist expert Professor Paul Wilkinson told Sky News: "Ricin is not an obvious weapon to use to cause mass injury, but it is worrying that such a poison was being held so near to an array of targets in central London."
Last Updated: 18:18 UK, Tuesday January 07, 2003
LETHAL TOXIN DISCOVERED
Anti-terrorist police are questioning six men after discovering traces of the highly toxic poison ricin in London.
The toxin, to which there is no antidote, has been linked to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network.
It causes massive damage to internal organs, and normally kills within three days of ingestion.
The men are of north African origin. They were arrested by anti-terrorist branch officers in north and east London on Sunday.
Scotland Yard said equipment and materials were found at an address in Wood Green in north London, where one of the man was also arrested. A woman also arrested has since been released.
Assassination
Ricin was the poison used to murder Bulgarian exile Georgi Markov in a poisoned umbrella assassination in London in 1978.
Public health workers throughout the NHS have been alerted to be on the lookout for symptoms of ricin exposure in patients.
It is understood that so far no-one has been to a doctor showing any signs of having been in contact with the toxin.
Today's news comes weeks after security sources warned of a possible terror attack involving London underground.
Statement
In a joint statement, anti-terrorist chief David Veness and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Pat Troop said: "A small amount of the material recovered from the Wood Green premises has been tested positive for the presence of ricin poison.
"Our primary concern is the safety of the public and the police have worked closely with the Department of Health throughout.
"The Department is now alerting the health service, including primary care, about these developments.
"It is also ensuring that the health service is able to provide advice to the public, including through NHS Direct.
Investigations
The statement adds: "Intensive police investigations are continuing and forensic analysis of the premises in Wood Green will take some time to complete.
"While our message is still 'alert not alarm', we would re-iterate our earlier appeals for the public to remain vigilant and aware and report anything suspicious to police.
Terrorist expert Professor Paul Wilkinson told Sky News: "Ricin is not an obvious weapon to use to cause mass injury, but it is worrying that such a poison was being held so near to an array of targets in central London."
Last Updated: 18:18 UK, Tuesday January 07, 2003