The four men convicted of the attempted July 21, 2005 bombings were "dedicated terrorists", Britain's top counter-terror officer said yesterday.
The would-be bombers, who will be sentenced today, had set out to "replicate the horrors" of July 7, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke said.
Muktar Ibrahim, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Hussain Osman were found guilty of conspiracy to murder on Monday after a six month trial.
A court heard how they planned to use home-made bombs on three tube trains and a bus, mirroring the events of July 7, when four suicide bombers and 52 of their victims died.
No one was injured on July 21, after the bombs failed to detonate.
Mr Clarke, head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter-Terrorism Command and National Co-ordinator of Terrorist Investigations, said that the men had told "blatant, ridiculous lies" to avoid justice.
He said: "This was no spur-of-the-moment plan. It had been hatched over several months"
"They failed to set off their bombs—not through want of trying—but no one will forget the impact or the consequences of what they did, coming just two weeks after 52 innocent people had been murdered by other terrorists.
"Despite the carnage of July 7, on July 21 the public responded courageously and without thought for their own safety."
Mr Clarke praised in particular the "incredible courage" of Angus Campbell, an off-duty fireman who challenged Mohammed at Oval tube station in south London.
"And we can reflect on the selfless actions of other members of the public as they tried to restrain or chase the terrorists," he added. "The convictions show that the jury rejected the blatant, indeed ridiculous lies told by these defendants in a futile attempt to escape justice.
"These men are dedicated terrorists who no longer pose a danger to the public. But recent events have shown that the threat from terrorism is, at the moment, ever present."
The jury was discharged after failing to reach verdicts on the two other defendants, Adel Yahya, and Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, who plead not guilty.
On Monday, the judge asked the prosecution to decide by today whether they will be retried.
Mr Justice Fulford said that the two men would remain in custody for now but a bail application may be made sometime in the future.
Asiedu was accused of being the 'fifth bomber' who dumped his bomb near Little Wormwood Scrubs after losing his nerve. He claims he was duped.
Yahya was claimed to be part of the 'inner circle' of terrorists, he denied conspiracy to murder.
Mr Justice Fulford also praised and thanked the jury of nine women and three men. He said: "Your patience, good humour and perseverance in the face of this lengthy trial has been exemplary."
"These are only words, but you have my whole-hearted thanks."
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said that it was a massive omission by seceurity services that allowed Muktar Ibrahim to attend a jihadi training camp in Pakistan while on bail in Britain.
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