London, Dec 27: Britain has emerged as the new terror capital of the West and whenever a major terrorist attack is attempted or takes place, suspicion automatically swings towards it, as it was in the case of the failed plot to blow an US airliner on Friday, Dec 25.

Fraser Nelson, Editor of The Spectator, said it comes as no surprise to learn that the Nigerian accused of blowing up the US airliner is said to have been living here.

"We have become the number one source of terrorism in the Western world. We shelter foreign jihadis, and even grow our own."

"For years now, Islamic extremists wanted on terror charges in their own country have taken sanctuary in Britain. Our judges (not our politicians) say it would be cruel to send them back to their own countries, in case they're tortured," News of the World quoted Nelson, as saying.

Years ago, the CIA had a name for it - 'Londonistan'. And Umar Abdul Mutallab may have been a part of it, he said.

As Britain focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan, al Qaeda starts to change its tactics, hoping to blindside the country.

"This is the risk we all live with. The war on terror, or should I say the terrorists' war on us, is still all too real. Abdul Mutallab may well have been a paid-up member of al Qaeda (with a short pension plan). Or just a wannabe," the report says.

ANI