21/7 men were 'dedicated' bombers

The jury on Monday found four men guilty of conspiracy to murder

The four convicted 21 July plotters were "dedicated terrorists", the UK's top anti-terror officer has said.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke praised members of the public who confronted the failed bombers.

Muktar Ibrahim, 29, Yassin Omar, 26, Ramzi Mohammed, 25, and Hussain Osman, 28, were found guilty on Monday.

The jury was discharged after failing to reach verdicts on two other defendants - Adel Yahya, 24, and Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, 34, who deny all charges.

Woolwich Crown Court heard how the four men found guilty of conspiracy to murder had brought chaos to London following their attempt to bomb London Underground trains and a bus on 21 July 2005 - a fortnight on from another terror attack on the capital.

Despite the carnage of 7 July, on 21 July the public responded courageously DAC Peter Clarke

Mr Clarke, head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter-Terrorism Command and National Co-ordinator of Terrorist Investigations, said the four had told "ridiculous lies" to escape justice.

He added: "These men obviously set out to replicate the horrors that had been inflicted on Londoners on 7 July 2005.

"But no one will forget the impact or the consequences of what they did - coming just two weeks after 52 innocent people had been murdered by other terrorists.

"Despite the carnage of 7 July, on 21 July the public responded courageously, and without thought for their own safety.

He singled out off-duty firefighter Angus Campbell, 43, who confronted Mohammed when his bomb failed to go off on board a crowded London Underground train, for his "incredible courage".

The jury did not reach verdicts on whether Yahya and Asiedu were involved

Earlier, the trial judge, Mr Justice Fulford, urged prosecutors to decide by Wednesday, when Ibrahim, Omar, Mohammed and Osman will be sentenced, if Yahya and Asiedu would face a retrial.

Mr Justice Fulford said he would sentence them after hearing mitigation from their lawyers.

He said that the two remaining defendants would remain in custody for the time being but accepted that a bail application on behalf of Yahya may be made later.

Asiedu, of no fixed address, was accused of being the "fifth" bomber who dumped his device near Little Wormwood Scrubs on July 21 after losing his nerve. He insisted the bombs were real, but that he was duped.

The prosecution claimed Yahya of High Road, Tottenham, north London, was part of the "inner circle" of bombers. But Yahya denied all knowledge of the conspiracy.

Mr Justice Fulford also praised and thanked the jury of nine women and three men.

"Your patience, good humour and perseverance in the face of this lengthy trial has been exemplary," he said.

'Personal sacrifices'

"These are only words, but you have my whole-hearted thanks."

The jury had been told the trial would last for a maximum of three months, but it had "doubled in length", he pointed out.

"Many of you have made significant and personal sacrifices to participate in these proceedings and you have had to make very important decisions having reviewed a huge weight of evidence."

He added: "The fact you were unable to reach a verdict on two of the defendants does not in any way reflect badly on any of you."

He also said that none of the jurors would have to take part in jury service again.

Following the four guilty verdicts, questions were raised about the role of anti-terror police and the security services in the case.

The shadow home secretary, David Davis, said systemic failings allowed Muktar Ibrahim to attend a jihadi training camp in Pakistan while on bail in the UK.