A convicted terrorist linked to a plot involving a toy car bomb attack on an army base is set to be released for the second time after parole officials rejected efforts to keep him behind bars.
The Express reported at the time how Zahid Iqbal was jailed in 2013 after plotting a terrorist bomb attack against an army site.
The case has now reignited uproar after a challenge against his release failed, despite concerns raised by experts involved in the process.
Iqbal was among four men convicted over a proposed attack against a Territorial Army base using a bomb attached to a remote-control car.
During the investigation, members of the group discussed material from an online al-Qaeda publication titled “How to make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom — by the al-Qaeda chef”.
Iqbal, identified as one of the leading figures in the group, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 11 years and three months, alongside an extended licence period.
Questions were previously raised over whether he communicated with extremists while outside prison during an earlier parole period.
The men were arrested after a series of raids were conducted at their homes across April in 2012 following a joint operation led by Police Counter Terrorism Command and security services.
Recordings of the men, heard in court, revealed Iqbal suggesting attaching the IED to a remote-controlled toy car and sending it under an entrance gate at a TA centre.
Iqbal had previously been released on parole before later being recalled to prison.
Concerns were raised during that period over alleged possession of a Kubotan keychain, described as a self-defence weapon, alongside books linked to conspiracy theories and the September 11 attacks, states GB News.
The allegations were not pursued further because of insufficient evidence.
A subsequent bid was then launched seeking reconsideration of the original parole decision.
However, the Parole Board rejected the main arguments put forward to block his release.
Judge Michael Topoloski is reported to have said: "I have decided that the three grounds in support of the application for a reconsideration in this case cannot be sustained and are therefore refused."
He is understood to have added:
"However, that does not bring this application to an end.
"I have after anxious consideration reached the conclusion that the Panel has fallen short of fulfilling their duty to provide sufficient evidence-based reasons for the decision taken to direct release.
"Therefore, the application for a reconsideration is granted only on the basis that there has been an error of law in that the Panel failed to fulfil its legal duty to give sufficient reasons for its decision. I do so solely for the reasons set out above.
"In my judgment it is appropriate that the case should be reconsidered on the papers by the original panel as per Rule 28(9)(a) The Parole Board Rules (as amended).
"I am in no doubt whatsoever that the panel will approach this matter conscientiously and fairly."
While refusing key elements of the challenge, Judge Topoloski said the original release ruling required stronger justification.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy wrote to Justice Secretary David Lammy, urging him to block the release, the Sun reported.
In their letter, they said: “We are deeply concerned about this decision, especially as both his prison offender manager and community offender manager said he should stay in prison.”
They added: “We all know the threat posed by Islamist extremism in this country. The Government must veto the decision to release Zahid Iqbal and keep him behind bars.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy had previously intervened in the case, urging the Parole Board to reconsider what was described as a “legally irrational” decision to release Iqbal early.
He formally issued an application to the board asking it to reconsider. Following its revision, the parole board bosses decided he should still be released.
