Shocking! Yet another "Plot That Was Not" from the UK.....

Police forced to defend terror investigation after two freed over alleged beheading plot

· Pair faced only four hours of interrogation in a week

· Defence to seek release of seven still in custody

West Midlands police defended their anti-terror operation yesterday after it emerged that two suspects were freed without charge after being questioned for little more than four hours during their week in custody.

As one of the released men, Abu Bakr, told the Guardian that he had faced sporadic and bizarre questioning by officers in connection with an alleged plot to abduct and behead a British Muslim soldier, police said it was not uncommon for some people to be released at this stage of an operation.

West Midlands police said in a statement: "In all such operations people may be released without charge at this stage, while others may remain in custody for further investigation ... We still have a large amount of evidence seized during the searches to examine."

The two were among nine men arrested in Birmingham last week. Neither of the freed pair was questioned about any kidnap or murder plot during their seven days under arrest, according to Abu Bakr and their lawyer, nor were they asked about any British soldier. They were released when a magistrate refused to give police permission to hold them any longer. Abu Bakr said he believed he was questioned by members of the new West Midlands terrorism squad. "It was as if this was their little baby. The guy who questioned me seemed confident but the woman's hands were shaking. She seemed uneasy."

While some community leaders voiced concerns yesterday about the anti-terror operation, police and security sources said last night that the intelligence that led to the arrests was "strong" - even if it will not lead to all nine being prosecuted "on suspicion of the commission, instigation or preparation of acts of terrorism".

But defence lawyers are expected to make fresh attempts to have the remaining seven men freed tomorrow when police return to court to ask for a further extension of their detention period.

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