The Director of Public Prosecutions has called for a retrial of three men for their part in a plot of blow up transatlantic airliners.

Three Islamic extremists were convicted on Monday of a suicide bomb plot, but the jury failed to reach verdicts on Ibrahim Savant, Arafat Waheed Khan and Waheed Zaman who were charged with conspiracy to murder.

On Friday night DPP Keir Starmer said he thought there was a realistic prospect the three men could be convicted of conspiracy to murder.

Mr Starmer said: "I have considered very carefully whether to seek a retrial of Ibrahim Savant, Arafat Waheed Khan and Waheed Zaman on the charge of conspiracy to murder.

"In coming to a conclusion, I have read and considered material prepared for me by the prosecution team and I have discussed the matter in detail with leading counsel for the prosecution and the head of the Counter Terrorism Division in the Crown Prosecution Service.

"Although I recognise that it is common practice for prosecutors in England and Wales to offer no evidence against a defendant if two previous juries have been unable to agree, that is no more than a convention and my task is to judge whether, taking into account all relevant considerations, the public interest is better served in this particular case by offering no evidence or by seeking a further retrial.

"Having taken into account the views of the prosecution team, I am satisfied that, notwithstanding the failure of two juries to agree a verdict, there remains a realistic prospect of a conviction against each defendant on the charge of conspiracy to murder.

"That being the case, I have considered the public interest factors for and against a further retrial.

"Having regard to the very serious nature of the charge and the very considerable public interest in having the allegation determined by a jury one way or the other, I have concluded that, in this exceptional case, it is in the public interest to seek a further retrial.

"I have taken into account submissions made to me by those representing the three defendants, but, notwithstanding those submissions, I do not consider that it would be oppressive or unjust to seek a further retrial."