UK journalist backs inquiry into 9/11 attacks

Muslim convert and journalist Yvonne Ridley supported an independent inquiry into the events of 9/11, saying that there is a “growing movement of people in America who are dissatisfied with the official narrative.”

Ahlul Bayt News Agency ; I hate conspiracy theories but it has to be said 9/11 turned out to be an opportunity or a blessing in disguise for the Bush Administration as it attempted to pursue its imperialistic ambitions in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Ridley said.

“There should be an independent inquiry to find out exactly who knew what in advance of 9/11 happening,” she said after the issue was raised at the UN General Assembly by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Ridley, who converted to Islam after being captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan, was one of the first journalists at the scene of the Lockerbie air disaster when Pan Am Flt 103 exploded over the Scottish border town in 1988.

“Entire concrete homes were vapourised by the burning aviation fuel and debris was scattered for up to 60 miles around, some of it burned and some of it intact,” she said about the scale of the destruction at Lockerbie.

With regard to 9/11, Ridley expressed scepticism about the alleged evidence that was claimed to have been discovered about the alleged suicide bombers when there was not even a trace of their bodies retrieved.

“I was surprised to learn that the passports of the hijackers were found perfectly preserved in the rubble when the bodies of hundreds of those inside the Twin Towers have never been recovered,” she said.

“US intelligence, a contradiction in terms, has been known to do some pretty dumb things and dropping passports into the rubble could be one of them.”

The British journalist said that the walk-out at the UN by the US officals after the Iranian president proposed an independent fact-finding mission should be set up to investigate the events of 9/11 was “rather predictable.”

“There is a growing movement of people in America who are dissatisfied with the official narrative and I would imagine that Mr Ahmedinejad's speech would have heightened their interest,” she said.

“You have to remember that the USA is still a very young democracy and country - it views history as an event which happened a few decades ago not a few thousand. They have much to learn about humility, dignity and international relations.”