NBC suits found in raid
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Chemical warfare protection suits were found in the north London mosque raided by police last week, it was claimed last night.
Reports that the NBC (nuclear biological and chemical) suits were discovered in the raid by 150 police officers on the Finsbury Park mosque were not denied by Scotland Yard. A spokesman said police were "not prepared to discuss" the claims. The Home Office would not be drawn on the matter. A spokeswoman said: "That's very much a matter for the police. We don't discuss all the security issues."
The Sunday Times claimed the discovery of the suits had been kept quiet by ministers and senior police because of fears that such news might inflame racial tensions. Seven men were arrested on Monday during the 2am anti-terror raid on the controversial mosque, where the radical cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri preaches. Police saida replica firearm, stun gun and a CS gas canister were found.
Only two of the seven men arrested were still being detained under the Terrorism Act 2000 last night, with others facing immigration offences. The mosque has been closed by health officers for three weeks because it is filthy and dilapidated.