U.K. probes London terror links in U.S.

LONDON, June 20 (UPI) -- British intelligence agents are working in Virginia trying to trace back contacts made by the suicide bombers who targeted London's transit system last July.

The investigation is linked to the U.S. arrests of the so-called Virginia 11, men who regularly attended the same Islamic center in Falls Church, Va., who have since been convicted of terrorism charges, the Times of London reported.

Of particular interest is anyone who had contact with Mohammad Sidique Khan, who was considered the leader of the July 7 suicide attacks, and who allegedly visited the area from England until the United States banned him from returning to the country, the report said.

Author Ron Suskind wrote in newly published "The One Percent Doctrine" the FBI also tipped off the British MI5 intelligence agency about Khan in 2002, long before the London bombings that killed 52 people.

However, Britain's Intelligence and Security Committee last month cleared MI5 of serious errors, saying "there was not an intelligence failure."