UK police make sixth arrest in 'Pope plot' investigation

A sixth man is being questioned by counter-terrorism detectives in London who are investigating a suspected plot to attack the Pope.

Scotland Yard said the suspect, aged 29, was held by officers at a home in north London shortly before 2pm today.

A spokesman said he was arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Earlier, police investigating a suspected plot to harm the Pope said five men arrested in the moirning worked as street cleaners..

The men were arrested by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command shortly before 6am. They were working for Veolia Environmental Services, a contractor which employs 650 on-street staff to keep Westminster's streets clean and free from rubbish.

Scotland Yard officers swooped on several people after information emerged that Pope Benedict XVI could be in danger.

A multimillion-pound operation has been put in place to protect the Pope during his tour of Scotland, London and the West Midlands.

The suspects, aged 26, 27, 36, 40 and 50, were held under the Terrorism Act 2000 at business premises in central London. They are believed to be Algerian.

They were taken to a central London police station, where they will be interviewed by detectives.

A spokesman said: "Following today's arrests the policing arrangements for the Papal visit were reviewed and we are satisfied that our current policing plan remains appropriate. The itinerary has not changed. There is no change to the UK threat level."

Leith Penny, Westminster City Council's director for city management, said: "While police investigations are ongoing and no charges have been brought, we can confirm that the people at the centre of the investigation work for one of our contractors, Veolia Environmental Services, who employ 650 on-street staff to keep Westminster's streets clean and free from rubbish.

"Veolia and Westminster City Council work closely with the relevant authorities to constantly ensure that all the people working on their behalf are subject to right to work checks as prescribed by the Home Office to assess their eligibility to work in the country. We are confident that these checks are robust and we will continue to work with the police and other authorities during this investigation."