Bomb plot accused 'had targets'

A former British National Party (BNP) candidate was a "radical" who suggested locations where he could plant a ball-bearing bomb, a court heard. Robert Cottage, 49, believed if there was not "blood in the streets" the country was "lost", his co-accused, David Jackson, told police.

Manchester Crown Court was told Cottage, of Colne, Lancashire, had spoken of bomb techniques and targets. Mr Cottage and Mr Jackson, 62, deny conspiracy to cause an explosion.

The court heard bus driver Mr Cottage had been stockpiling food and chemicals which could be made into explosives because he feared the country was on the brink of civil war. When police raided Mr Cottage's home they found 21 different chemicals including nitrates, chlorine, ammonia and acids.

'Given land away'

Officers also discovered a stash of crossbows, air pistols, ammunition and two tubs of ball bearings.

On Friday, the jury heard police interviews of Mr Jackson, a dentist from Nelson. Asked about Mr Cottage's views, he told police: "Yes, they were extreme. He was apocalyptic who really thought that if there was not blood in the streets we were absolutely lost, which is the reason of these ball bearings."

Mr Jackson said his co-accused had suggested techniques and said he made suggestions of targets, but could not recall what they were. Mr Cottage, who failed to be elected as a BNP candidate in local elections, has admitted possession of explosives but denies conspiracy to cause explosions. Mr Jackson denies both charges.

'Wickedest thing'

Mr Cottage had downloaded a manual on how to make bombs from internet versions of a book named The Anarchist's Cookbook, the court heard. He also told friends how he wished to assassinate Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Asked how he felt about immigration, Mr Jackson said: "The sadness comes in passing through the middle of your native town and walking a hundred and fifty yards sometimes without hearing a word of English. And it makes you think, well we've just given the land away, to another culture, another religion and that's the wickedest thing a nation can do to itself. It's much worse than being colonised in some war; I mean it's all happening without a fight and with encouragement from the powers that be."

The trial continues.

BBC