'PM terror threat' three charged

Three men questioned over an alleged threat to assassinate Gordon Brown have been charged with terror offences, Lancashire Police have said.

Ishaq Kanmi, 22, of Blackburn, was charged with soliciting murder, and three other charges.

Abbas Iqbal, 23, and Ilyas Iqbal, 21, each face charges of possessing terrorist material.

It is understood no actual plot was in place but officers discovered a written threat on an extremist jihadi website.

The threats were also made against former prime minister Tony Blair.

Terrorist publications

Ishaq Kanmi, of Cromwell Street, faces additional charges of belonging or professing to belong to al Qaeda, inviting support for al Qaeda, and dissemination of terrorist publications.

Brothers Abbas Iqbal and Ilyas Iqbal, both of Percival Street in Blackburn, are both charged with possession of an article in circumstances which give rise to a reasonable suspicion that possession is for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

Abbas Iqbal is also charged with dissemination of terrorist publications.

Charges against Ilyas Iqbal include collecting or making a record of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

The men were arrested at Manchester Airport and in Accrington, Lancashire on 14 August.

All three are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.

A fourth man, arrested on Tuesday in Blackburn and a fifth man arrested in Derby the same day, remain in custody.

On Wednesday, Lancashire Constabulary and Greater Manchester Police were granted an additional seven days to question them.