Nicky Reilly (22) som torsdag hadde med seg to hjemmelagde brannbomber inn i et nytt megasenter i Exeter, fikk en oppmuntrende tekstmelding rett før han detonerte ufrivillig. To menn av asiatisk/orienteralsk opprinnelse ble pågrepet i en utendørscafe i Plymouth fredag. Den ene er arrestert og den andre skal være behjelpelig med informasjon.

Reilly skal ha blitt påvirket av å frekventere en takeaway-kiosk i nabolaget.

Forensic science officers spent yesterday carrying out further examinations of the mobile phone, landline and computer used by Mr Reilly, a Muslim convert who also uses the name Mohammad Rasheed.

Neighbours claimed that Mr Reilly, who has a history of mental illness, had been radicalised at a takeaway food shop near his home. Twenty officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter-Terrorism Command have been sent to assist the Devon & Cornwall force’s investigation.

A source close to the inquiry told The Times that two devices seized in Exeter on Thursday afternoon were «viable» firebombs constructed of sodium hydroxide, paraffin and strips of aluminium foil. Reports suggest that they may also have contained nails.

Blant bekjente kalles Nicky bare BFG – Big Friendly Giant, fordi han er stor, med et barns sinn. Ingen tror han kunne gjort noe slikt på egen hånd.

To fellow worshippers at one of Plymouth’s two mosques, Mohammad Rasheed is an English convert who says that he has been inspired by the «beauty of Islam».

Both groups were in shock yesterday after the unemployed man, who is 18st and well over 6ft tall, apparently injured himself with a homemade bomb.

Tony Melville, deputy chief constable of Devon & Cornwall, said: «He has a history of mental illness and had adopted the Islamic faith. We believe that despite his vulnerable state he has been preyed upon, radicalised and taken advantage of.»

Suspected suicide bomber in Exeter, Nicky Reilly, ‘was sent a message of support’