New details have emerged regarding the concerning history of a terrorist who recently came close to parole - having previously been recalled to prison after an initial release.
Zahid Iqbal, 31, was among four men who plotted to bomb an Army base in Luton in 2013 - and was jailed for life with a custodial sentence of at least 11 years and three months, with a five-year extension period.
Earlier this year, the parole board ruled that Al-Qaeda-inspired Iqbal could be released early - until GB News highlighted the case, prompting Justice Secretary David Lammy to intervene.
It has now emerged that Iqbal, who narrowly remains in prison pending the outcome of a new review into the case, was previously released in 2021, and later recalled in 2023.
The recall, revealed by The Mirror, came amid concerns he possessed a book about 9/11, and was using a secret mobile phone with a deleted call history - sparking fears of further communication with terrorist links.
Also in his possession was a Kubotan, a small weapon which attaches to a keyring.
A psychologist could not definitively say he was "not talking to other extremists", but did say he had expressed no other radical views.
Mr Lammy had appealed the Parole Board's decision to direct Iqbal's release and said the decision was irrational.
Zahid Iqbal was jailed for a bomb plot back in 2013 | FILE
Michael Topolski KC, judicial member of the Parole Board, refused the application on the grounds of irrationality, but has ordered a new review of Iqbal's release.
He added the previous panel had failed to "provide sufficient evidence-based reasons" for the release with Iqbal will now facing a new panel who will review the case, go through relevant paperwork and assess his behaviour in prison alongside other factors.
Iqbal was jailed alongside Mohammed Sharfaraz Ahmed, Umar Arshad and Syed Farhan Hussain at Woolwich Crown Court.
The group discussed building an improvised explosive device (IED) between January 2011 and April 2012 and planned to follow bomb-making instructions in an online Al-Qaeda manual "How to make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom - by the al-Qaeda chef".
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The convicted terrorist plotted to target a Territorial Army base | PAThe terrorist suggested attaching the IED to a remote controlled toy car and placing it under an entrance gate at an Army Reserves base.
He had also arranged terrorist training in Pakistan and discussed obtaining weapons for the men.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy wrote to Mr Lammy to block the release after the case was highlighted on The People's Channel.
They wrote: "We are deeply concerned about this decision, especially as both his prison offender manager and community offender manager said he should stay in prison."
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said he was 'deeply concerned' about the decision
|GETTY
The terms of Iqbal's sentence means he can be recalled to prison at any time during their five years on licence.
Reform UK's police and crime adviser Colin Sutton told GB News in February the decision to consider his release was "baffling".
He said: "These are the most serious offences that you can commit against our society.
"And this wasn't a guy in his bedroom cooking something up. This was somebody who arranged training.
"He had links with al-Qaeda. He was a proper terrorist. And he was released early in 2021 and had to be called back in because he wasn't complying with the conditions."