Detectives investigating the Ealing car bomb have issued an e-fit picture of the man they believe bought the car used in the bombing last week.
As the detectives yesterday urged witnesses to come forward to identify him, a man who was injured in the explosion returned to hospital suffering from meningitis.
The e-fit picture shows a man in his mid-30s with straight, dark blond hair and pitted skin on his face. Detectives believe he may have suffered from acne at some time and has a Northern Ireland accent. It is believed he bought the grey Saab 9000 five-door saloon used in the bombing from a car dealer in Ilford, Essex, on July 19th.
Police believe the "Real IRA" was responsible for the bombing and the deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and head of the anti-terrorist branch, Mr Alan Fry, said police urgently needed to identify the man.
"We believe this man bought the grey Saab which was later filled with explosives and detonated on a busy west London street where hundreds of innocent people were enjoying an evening out," he said.
The man (45) injured in the bombing was readmitted to hospital last Wednesday. A spokesman for Central Middlesex Hospital said he had meningitis and was being treated at the hospital's intensive care unit.
Describing his condition as critical but stable, the spokesman added: "At this point it is unclear if his condition is related to the blast. However, it is highly unlikely."