Internet probe led police to arrest Abu Qatada

The re-arrest of radical cleric Abu Qatada was linked to an investigation into extremist internet material, it was revealed today.

Qatada was returned to prison for breach of his bail conditions after police searched his London home on 9 March. Today senior counter terrorism officers said the arrest was in connection with a range of publications, some of them online.

They are investigating whether he was involved in the material’s publication. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Osborne, the head of Scotland Yard’s Counter Terrorism Command, said detectives were investigating publications in multiple languages.

In rare public comments Mr Osborne said the threat from Islamic fundamental terrorists remained high and was becoming more complex.