ANTI terrorist officers said yesterday they are closely studying footage from a security video camera which filmed two men leaving the scene of the IRA Docklands bomb just minutes before the explosion.
It is understood the film shows the two men near the blue lorry, which contained a ton of explosives and was parked outside South Quay train station, and leaving the area at 5.30 p.m. on Friday afternoon, just 90 minutes before the bomb was detonated.
Two men died and over 100 people were injured as a result of the blast. Experts are now hoping to improve the quality of the pictures in an attempt to identify the men.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said a decision to release the pictures will be taken shortly, but even if the photographs do not have clear images of their faces, officers believe the film will provide a detailed description of their clothing, height and build.
"At this stage we are not prepared to release details or publish anything we have got from the footage. We would not release any image which was too unclear for publication or if we were not absolutely sure the men pictured were the bombers," he said.
The inquest on the two men killed by the IRA bomb was adjourned at Poplar Coroner's Court because of the police investigation. Mr Inan Bashir (29), a newsagent, and his assistant, 31 year old Mr John Jefferies, died from multiple injuries and had to be identified by their fingerprints.
The coroner, Dr Susan Hungerford, said both men appeared to have died instantly and would not have suffered from their injuries. "I appreciate it is a very wretched time for the families and I very much hope they will take some comfort from the fact that they have the heartfelt sympathy of all people who abhor this evil event," she added.
As anti terrorist officers continued searching the bomb scene for forensic evidence, a Scotland Yard spokesman said they had made "significant recoveries".
However, he refused to comment on a report that two bullets had also been discovered near Lady Thatcher's London home. The bullets, known as "full metal jackets", are believed to be favoured by the IRA because they are small and easy to hide. Scotland Yard also refused to confirm that Lady Thatcher's personal security had been increased to armed protection level.
"Searches of various addresses have been carried out as a result of increased security following the IRA bomb. We are not prepared to discuss it further," the spokesman said. In a controlled explosion early yesterday morning, bomb squad officers blew up a van with Irish number plates which was parked outside Manchester's Piccadilly station.
However, British Transport police later said no device had been found.