Scotland Yard has dismissed media speculation that the discovery of Semtex explosive in west London is linked to the IRA or a six-man IRA cell sentenced at the Old Bailey in July. A Scotland Yard spokesman said the investigation into the discovery of up to 10lb of explosive, found at a storage unit in Chelsea, was at "an early stage" and a forensic examination of the area was still under way.
He refused to comment on reports that the explosive was part of a "missing link" in the IRA's attempt to cause destruction to the national grid by blowing up electricity pylons around London and the south of England. "We have asked very specifically for the media not to speculate on the source of these explosives and what they might be connected to or not. It is too early to link this particular find with the PIRA."
It is also understood that antiterrorist officers have yet to confirm a link between the explosive and the IRA. Anti-terrorist officers moved into the area late on Tuesday afternoon when a manager of the Acorn Storage Centre inspected a left-luggage unit where the rent had not been paid since late last year.
During the Old Bailey trial of the six men, who were convicted of conspiracy to cause explosions, the court was told that raids on their addresses in south London uncovered bomb-making equipment but no explosives. Security sources believe the west London cache may be the "missing link".