All 12 bomb plot suspects are freed
All 12 suspects arrested across the north west of England over an alleged bomb plot have been released without charge, police have said.
Eleven of the men - all Pakistani nationals - face being deported after they were transferred into the custody of the UK Borders Agency.
The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Peter Fahy, said: "As there are ongoing issues of matters of national security around this investigation, it does limit what we are able to say.
"This has been an extremely complex investigation that has involved officers working closely with other agencies to gather and examine large amounts of evidence.
"We had a duty to act on 9 April to protect the public and a subsequent duty to investigate what lay before us.
"When it comes to the safety of the public we can't take any chances - we must act on information we receive. We don't take these decisions lightly and only carry out this kind of action if it was wholly justified.
"I would like to extend my thanks to the communities who have been affected by the work we have been doing over the fast few weeks. People have been extremely supportive and worked with us to ensure we've been able to work effectively."
Mr Fahy added: "We treat these matters very, very seriously. We don't carry out this sort of operation or make these sorts of arrests on a wing and a prayer, or a whim."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman told reporters: "We are seeking to remove these individuals on grounds of national security.
"The Government's highest priority is to protect public safety. Where a foreign national poses a threat to the country, we will seek to exclude or deport them where appropriate."
