First Response

INTERVIEW WITH ALI PASHA (8.50 p.m.)

Kamran tapped the plastic bag containing the printed instructions that had been taken from Pasha’s waistpack. ‘You were told to handcuff yourself to Mr Metcalfe?’

Pasha nodded. He was wearing a paper forensic suit that rustled each time he moved. Kamran was sitting opposite Pasha while Sergeant Lumley sat next to him, taking notes.

‘Did you know who he was?’ asked Kamran. ‘Did you know that he was an MP, for instance?’

‘I knew only what is on the note,’ said Pasha.

‘You followed the instructions to the letter?’

‘Shahid said that if I didn’t he would kill me.’

‘And how would he do that?’

‘He said he would detonate the vest by remote control.’

‘And you believed him?’

‘I saw what happened to the guy who didn’t do as he was told,’ said Pasha.

‘Tell me about that.’

‘What’s to tell? One of the guys was mouthing off and wouldn’t shut up. Shahid warned him but he wouldn’t let up. Eventually Shahid used his mobile to detonate the vest. Blew the guy to bits.’ Pasha shuddered. ‘Blood and shit everywhere, there was.’

‘You saw it?’

Pasha nodded.

‘You saw it with your own eyes?’

‘I had no choice, I was tied to a bloody chair.’ He shuddered again.

‘The thing is, if it went off, how come you weren’t hurt in the blast?’

‘Because Shahid dragged him behind this metal screen that was hanging from the rafters. But we saw it. Blood and bits of body everywhere and a noise that made my ears ring.’ He grimaced. ‘Horrible way to die.’

‘Would you say that you are a good Muslim, Mr Pasha?’

‘I try. That’s all one can do, try.’

‘You pray five times a day?’

‘I pray when I can.’

‘But you have been in trouble with the police before?’

‘Speeding tickets. That’s all.’

‘Now, that’s not true, is it? You were involved in an underage grooming ring in Tower Hamlets, weren’t you?’

‘The case was dropped,’ said Pasha.

‘So I understand. But having sex with underage girls isn’t the behaviour of a good Muslim, is it?’

‘What part of “the case was dropped” don’t you understand?’

‘Just because the case was dropped doesn’t mean you didn’t do it,’ said Kamran. ‘Cases are dropped for many reasons.’

‘I’m the victim here,’ said Pasha. ‘You’re making it sound like I was the criminal. I was drugged, dragged off the street and forced to be a suicide bomber. Have you any idea what I’ve been through today? I thought I was going to die. Since nine thirty this morning I thought that at any moment I could be blown to bits. Have you any idea what that’s like?’

Kamran shook his head. ‘No, Mr Pasha, I haven’t.’