UK terror suspects worked for airport cargo company

(With POL-PAKISTAN-BRITAIN) LONDON, April 11 (KUNA) -- Two of the 12 men arrested in north west of England over an alleged Al-Qaeda plot worked for a cargo company which has access to secure areas inside airports, it was reported Saturday.
"Cargo2Go," which is based at Manchester Airport, told the Daily Mail newspaper the men were self-employed and would have used their own vans to deliver packages for the firm.
The development came as police continued to question 11 Pakistani nationals, 10 of whom hold student visas, and one UK-born Briton and search properties at locations across the North West.
In the aftermath of the arrests, Immigration Minister Phil Woolas stepped into the row over security checks for foreign students by denying that they were inadequate.
He rejected claims that the UK would not co-operate with the Pakistani authorities over background checks on applicants for visas to study in Britain.
One suspect was reportedly allowed to enter Britain last week, even though there were irregularities in his immigration paperwork.
The Pakistani man was stopped by officials at Manchester Airport but was told to return at a later date for an immigration appointment, according to newspaper reports.
However, the Home Office dismissed the reports as speculative.
One Cargo2Go driver told the Daily Mail he had been allowed to enter secure areas of Manchester and Glasgow airports without full security checks.
A director of the firm, David Hough said, "They weren't directly employed by us, they were self-employed. They would have had their own vans - we give them the logo and then they do the work." Meanwhile, yesterday shoppers in Manchester city centre appeared to heed the assurances of Greater Manchester's Chief Constable, Peter Fahy, that he had "no hesitation" in visiting alleged targets such as the Trafford Centre and Manchester Arndale shopping complexes.
Unconfirmed reports stated that some of the men held on Wednesday were seen taking photographs and filming themselves outside the two retail centres, a nightclub and St Ann area in the city.
Manchester shopping area was bustling with Good Friday shoppers as stores inside reported steady trade.
Yesterday, police searched a second flat in a rundown complex in Liverpool.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke to Pakistan's president, Asif Ali Zardari, last Thursday night during which they vowed to work together to tackle violent extremism.
The talks were held amid concern about the number of suspects who had come to the UK from Pakistan on student visas.
But Pakistan's High Commissioner, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, dismissed claims that his country was not doing enough to tackle the extremists, insisting it was the UK that needed to do more.
He said the Pakistani authorities could help carry out background checks on student visa applicants but were not allowed to.
Last Wednesday's raids were brought forward because of a gaffe by Britain's top counter-terrorist officer.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick resigned after a security breach when he was photographed carrying a secret document containing details of the police operation into 10 Downing Street. (end) he.ema KUNA 111400 Apr 09NNNN