A prime suspect in the second wave of London bombings has told Italian detectives he took part in the attacks on the city's transport system as British police quizzed three other suspected bombers today.
A judicial source with direct contact to the man confirmed Italian media reports that Osman Hussain, arrested in Rome on Friday, has said he participated in the July 21 failed attacks.
"Yes, yes. I can confirm that," the source told Reuters. He gave no further details.
Police arrested six further men and one women today in southern England under anti-terrorism laws in connection with the July 21 attempted bombings but a police source said the arrests were not a significant development in the inquiry.
That brings the total number of people being questioned by British investigators in relation to the probe, the biggest operation for London's police since World War Two, to 18.
Hussain's court-appointed lawyer has suggested that the Ethiopian-born British citizen may try to resist extradition requested by British authorities.
London police believe they have captured all four men they were seeking over the July 21 botched bombings on three underground trains and a bus, which came exactly two weeks after four bombers killed themselves and 52 people in similar attacks.
After an international manhunt for suspected Islamist militants which culminated in a swoop on a housing estate in west London on Friday, three of the men are in custody in London and the fourth in Rome.