Around the World: United Kingdom

Plotters lose appeal

Four men jailed for life for their part in attempted suicide bombings in London in July 2005 had their appeal bids turned down yesterday after the judge branded their crimes "merciless".

The men, who were sentenced each to spend at least 40 years behind bars for a plot to bomb three underground trains and a bus two weeks after 52 people were killed in similar attacks, argued they had merely been taking part in an elaborate hoax.