Bid to deport nine terror suspects
Nine men arrested in connection with an alleged bomb plot have been released into the custody of the UK Borders Agency.
The men were arrested after raids in Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire under the Terrorism Act, along with three other men, on April 8.
A Home Office spokesman said: "We are seeking to remove these individuals on grounds of national security."
He continued: "The Government's highest priority is to protect public safety. Where a foreign national poses a threat to this country we will seek to exclude or to deport, where this is appropriate."
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they have transferred the nine men, aged between 22 and 38, into the custody of the UK Borders Agency.
Officers from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit arrested the 12 men under the Terrorism Act following the raids on April 8. Of the 12 men initially arrested, 11 were Pakistani nationals, 10 held student visas and one is a UK-born Briton.
The raids were brought forward because of a gaffe by Britain's top counter-terrorist officer.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick resigned after the security breach when he was photographed carrying a secret document containing details of the police operation into 10 Downing Street.
Two men remain in police custody. An 18-year-old was released into the custody of the UK Borders Agency on April 11.
A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman (GMP) said searches are continuing at a property in Galsworthy Avenue, Cheetham Hill, Manchester.
