Brown says terror plot is 'very big'
By Press Association
The Prime Minister defended the anti-terror operation in the North West of England after the sudden resignation of Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer.
Gordon Brown described the suspected plot as "very big" and said investigators were probing links with others in Pakistan.
Asked whether there were lessons to be learned, Mr Brown said: "We must remember the context of this. We are dealing with a very big terrorist plot. We have been following it for some time. There were a number of people who are suspected of it who have been arrested. That police operation was successful.
"We know that there are links between terrorists in Britain and terrorists in Pakistan. That is an important issue for us to follow through and that's why I will be talking to President Zardari about what Pakistan can do to help us in the future.
"I think we must not forget that the police have been successful in carrying out their arrests and, of course, what happens in the next few days is a matter for the police inquiries, but we had to act pre-emptively to ensure the safety of the public and the safety of the public is the paramount and utmost concern in all that we do."
He thanked Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick for his years of service in the police, saying: "I have spoken to Bob Quick this morning and thanked him for his years of service. He has apologised for what went wrong."
Mr Brown was speaking after Mr Quick resigned today as Britain's top counter-terrorist officer after admitting he came close to endangering an operation to thwart a suspected al-Qa'ida plot. He was photographed yesterday carrying a secret document about the alleged plot into number 10 Downing Street.
A series of raids involving hundreds of officers across north west England, in which 12 people were arrested, were brought forward by 12 hours because of the mistake.
Ten of those arrested are Pakistan-born nationals on student visas and one is a UK-born British national, police said.
Teams of forensic officers today began fingertip searches of addresses in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, Liverpool - including John Moores University - and Clitheroe, in Lancashire.
Whitehall sources said the men had been under surveillance by MI5 and police for weeks but the nature or potential target of the plot remained unclear.
One source said: "There was information of sufficient concern that action needed to be taken. Work is ongoing to get to the bottom of it."
The official described reports the alleged plotters may have been sizing up "soft targets" such as Manchester's Trafford Centre and football grounds as "speculation".
Mr Quick decided to resign last night after conversations with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and London Mayor Boris Johnson.
His blunder led to the Defence Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee, which advises the media on national security matters, issuing a request to news organisations not to print the photograph.
In a statement, Mr Quick said this morning: "I have today offered my resignation in the knowledge that my action could have compromised a major counter-terrorism operation.
"I deeply regret the disruption caused to colleagues undertaking the operation and remain grateful for the way in which they adapted quickly and professionally to a revised timescale."
Sir Paul paid tribute to Mr Quick and confirmed Assistant Commissioner John Yates will take charge of the force's specialist operations wing.
The Scotland Yard chief said: "Bob Quick is a tremendous police officer who has served with dedication and professionalism throughout his career.
"I hold Bob in the highest regard, as a friend and colleague, and that opinion has not changed. He has accepted that he made a serious error and that has led to his resignation this morning."
The huge police operation, involving officers from the Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Lancashire forces, continued today.
Eyewitnesses gave accounts of how police, including armed officers, swooped on a series of residential properties from 5.30pm onwards last night.
Four addresses were raided in Cheetham Hill in Greater Manchester. Forensic officers continue to work today at homes in Galsworthy Avenue, Greenhill Road, Abercarn Close and Esmond Road.
Among them were a lodging house in Galsworthy Avenue where, according to witnesses, two men were held, and the Cyber Net Cafe in nearby Cheetham Hill Road.
One man was arrested at a flat above a barber's shop in Greenhill Road, neighbours said, and police tape surrounded a silver Rover MG car outside a semi-detached property in Abercarn Close.
Neighbours said three Pakistani men, all thought to be students, had been living at the Esmond Road home for a short time.
In Liverpool, police raided a flat in Earle Road and two homes, numbers 46 and 51, in Cedar Grove, Toxteth.
Earle Road property owner Ali Shalash said the property, above an off-licence, was used by up to four Pakistani accounting students who had been there for three weeks. He said at least one man was arrested.
Cedar Grove neighbours said several men with their hands cuffed behind their backs were put into police cars during the first raid at about 5.30pm and two more men were arrested in a second raid at about 10pm.
At Liverpool John Moores University, students said two men aged in their 20s were held by armed police in dramatic scenes outside the library.
A further arrest is thought to have taken place on the M602, details of which are not yet known. The motorway runs from Eccles to Manchester.
In Clitheroe, two men were arrested by armed officers at a Homebase store. Locals said they had been staying at the Brooklyn Guest House half a mile away and worked as security guards.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said he had accepted Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick's resignation with "great reluctance and sadness".
He denied there had been a "witch hunt" but said Mr Quick realised his position was extremely difficult after the serious security breach.
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said: "I think politicians should always be wary about marching in and saying somebody must go.
"But I said last night I thought there were serious questions to ask about his ability to do the job, as much as anything about the confidence the rest of the security apparatus would have in him."
Last December Mr Quick apologised for an outburst in which he accused senior Conservatives of leaking a story about his wife's business interests.
That followed controversy over his role in the decision to arrest Tory frontbencher Damian Green during an inquiry into leaks.
Gordon McKinnon, of the Trafford Centre, said police have not informed security staff of any direct threat towards the it.
He said: "We have a very close relationship with Greater Manchester Police, and are in regular close contact with them regarding security issues.
"We have been informed, contrary to some media reports, that there has been no specific threat to The Trafford Centre - and any such suggestion is purely speculative.
"Our 100-plus security team is however constantly aware of the need to remain vigilant, and works in tandem with more than 400 CCTV cameras to provide a safe, secure environment for our customers."