Man admits role in poisoning plot

The parcel for Councillor John Wright was intercepted

A man accused of posting poisoned vodka bottles in a terror plot to force Scottish independence has admitted typing the address labels.

Wayne Cook, 45, of Manchester, is alleged to have sent bottles filled with caustic soda to a Scottish journalist and a Lancashire councillor.

Mr Cook told Manchester Crown Court that he typed the labels as a favour for his neighbour.

He denies knowing the contents of the two packages were harmful.

The two charges relate to a campaign by the Scottish National Liberation Army (SNLA) to force the British Government out of Scotland.

'Something dodgy'

Cook's neighbour, Steven Robinson, has pleaded guilty to the same charges of using noxious substances to cause harm.

Giving evidence, Cook, of Robert Street, Tyldesley, told how Robinson had asked him to type out some addresses after buying two miniature bottles of vodka.

His friend had not explained what he was doing but he "knew then it was something dodgy", he told the jury.

Cook said a bag Robinson had brought to his flat had contained a small tube of superglue, an ink rubber and a tub with a label saying "caustic soda".

He said: "I saw the stuff and I thought, I'm not even going to try and work out what is going on here.

"There is no point even asking him. I am not going to get an explanation, there is something not right."

Threat to kill

The two packages were sent to Blackburn with Darwen councillor John Wright and Scottish Daily Express journalist Myra Philp in April last year.

Royal Mail staff intercepted the parcel to Mr Wright but the second made it to Ms Philp.

It was accompanied by a note signed by the SNLA threatening to kill English people "at random and with no discrimination or compunction" in order to convince the British Government to withdraw from Scotland.

There was also a threat to poison England's water supply.

The trial continues.