But government officials say there are no plans to raise it to the highest level of critical, and they do not expect to see an imminent wave of arrests.

BBC: Al-Qaeda terror plot targeting Europe uncovered

Lord Hoffmann's blunder has cast a harsh light on Britain's highest court, and raised serious doubts about whether the Law Lords will be ready to deal with the wave of controversial cases expected after the Human Rights Act comes into force, probably next year.

ECONOMIST: The law: Judging the judges | The