M16 agent's camera at eBay reveals top terror secrets

London, Sep 30: A second hand camera sold on the Internet auction site eBay by a top MI6 agent held secret terrorist-related records. According to a report in The Sun, names, snaps, fingerprints and suspects' academic records were found in the memory of the digital device.

Alongside them were photos of rocket launchers and missiles that spooks believe Iran is supplying to Osama Bin Laden's henchmen in Iraq. A hand-drawn graphic revealed links between active al-Qaeda cells - with terrorists' names and occupations. Meanwhile a document marked 'top secret' detailed the encrypted computer system used by real-life James Bonds working away from MI6's London HQ.

Among those named in the material was 46-year-old Abdul al-Hadi al-Iraqi, who was captured by the CIA in 2007. The fanatical Iraqi Kurd, one of al-Qaeda's highest-ranking lieutenants, is being held by the US at Guantanamo Bay.

The Nikon Coolpix camera was snapped up for just 17 pounds on the auction website by an innocent 28-year-old deliveryman who lives with his mum.

He discovered the secret material as he downloaded pictures from a US holiday at his home in Hemel Hempstead, Herts.

A friend said: "He only bought the camera because he was going on holiday with his ex. He flew home early this month and downloaded his holiday pictures and saw some of rocket launchers and missiles. He knew he hadn't taken them so asked friends about it and they suggested going to the police."

The man walked into Hemel Hempstead Police Station to report the matter, but cops initially treated it as a joke.

Yet within days Special Branch, the team of specialist anti-terror officers based in every county force, descended on his humble terraced home.

They took away the camera and the family's PC and spent 1,000 pounds replacing them. Officers banned the shocked family from talking to the media.

Special Branch were last night trying to trace the bungling M16 officer, who lives in the Home Counties. He faces the sack.

ANI