Alston points finger at 'anarchists'
Jul 08 06:21
AAP


Australia's High Commissioner in London Richard Alston believes bombs in the city are most likely the work of anti-globalisation 'anarchists' to coincide with the Group of Eight summit meeting in Scotland.

Alston played down claims from the little-known Secret Group of al-Qaeda's Jihad in Europe that it was responsible for the four blasts that have killed at least 40 commuters.

The leaders of the world's eight richest countries are meeting at the Scottish resort of Gleneagles.

"Everyone is speculating about the possible source of this," he said.

"If this was done to coincide with Gleneagles then it's more likely to be a more narrow group of anti-globalisation protesters or anarchists who seem to take great delight in disrupting meetings of international leaders."

Three blasts on the London underground train service and one on a double decker bus rocked the capital at peak hour this morning, crippling the transport system and the city.

At least 33 people have been confirmed dead.

Australian consular staff are at St Mary's Hospital and the Royal London Hospital and plan to attend other major hospitals in London in the search for any Australian victims.

"We've been doing our best to make contact with the hospitals, it seems to be a bit early for them to be able to give us any useful intelligence," Alston said.

"We've been liaising with all the emergency organisations.

"There's not much more we can do except monitor the situation and over time we expect the hospitals to be able to give us something more meaningful."

Alston said the 'terrorists' may have targeted London while a major security operation was protecting world leaders, including US President George Bush, at Gleneagles.

"People in London have always been of the view that something was bound to happen here," he said.

"As we know there have been a few near misses ... which is a tribute to security here.

"Maybe one reason why they didn't directly target Gleneagles and took the soft option to come to London when everyone's attention was elsewhere."

He said Australia would back Britain in its fight against 'terror'.

"I don't think there's any doubt at all the British government will be resolute and determined and we'll be 110 per cent behind them and I'm sure the British people will be as well," Alston said.

"If these things are designed to intimidate and cower, then they simply don't work."

People unable to make contact with Australians in London who they believe may have been up in the incidents can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra on 1300 555 135.