Fertiliser Plot: The need for a 7/7 independent inquiry

The end of the fertiliser bomb plot, in which five men were jailed for life, is yet another reason why there must be an independent inquiry into the 7/7 attacks.

It transpired during the trial that members of the fertiliser plot had met with those responsible for 7/7, most notably Mohammad Sidique Khan, who was followed by police on numerous occasions.

The truth of the matter is that with the intelligence available to the police and MI5 more could and perhaps should have been done.

The public understand how difficult it must be to co-ordinate counter terrorism intelligence effectively. However with the successful scuppering of the fertiliser plot it is easy to see why many think that 7/7 may have been avoidable.

The public faith in those who protect us must be dwindling especially after the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes and the only way to restore confidence would be to show us that they are doing all the can to protect the nation.

Transparency then is surely the key. With the inquiry looking unlikely it seems as if poor use of intelligence is being swept under the carpet.

With 52 people dead surely it is time for the Government to answer the most important question of all: How could this have happened?