A WHISTLE-BLOWING Blackburn terrorist can be forgiven by the community after ‘learning his lesson’, a senior mosque leader said.

Bomb plotter Saajid Badat had his 13-year sentence cut to 11 years after agreeing to give evidence at a US terror trial.

The agreement with prosecutors is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.

Badat studied at the College of Islamic Knowledge and Guidance, in Moss Street, Little Harwood.

He was arrested in November 2003 after high-profile raids in Blackburn.

Councillor Salim Mulla, chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: “It’s going down really well in the community that he is now co-operating with the authorities, and he appears to have realised that is was a disgraceful thing to do at the height of the 9/11 outcry.

“Maybe he was brainwashed at the time, but there are no excuses for what he has done.

“I have spoken to many members of the community who are of the opinion that he’s learnt his lesson, and that with the help and support of the Muslim community, he can adapt back into mainstream life.

“The Muslim community is very forgiving, and we realise that people make mistakes - sometimes very big mistakes - but we can give them another chance, if they have served their sentence and have shown they are willing to change.”

Badat was jailed in 2005 after he admitted plotting to explode a shoebomb on a transatlantic flight in December 2001 at the same time as fellow shoebomber Richard Reid.

He changed his mind and decided not to go through with it.

The US trial he will give evidence to involves Adis Medunjanin, who is charged over an al Qaida plot to bomb the New York subway.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said he agreed with Coun Mulla.

He said: “The main point is the recognition that he’s done wrong and wants to make amends.

“Forgiveness is an underlying principle of Christianity as well as Islam, and he is entitled to the same treatment as others who have committed a crime.

“The reassurance to the public is that Mr Badat will be under supervision at all times.”

Little Harwood Councillor Abdul Patel said terrorists should be punished appropriately.

He said: “What this man did is extremely wrong and we don’t want terrorists, but Islam is very forgiving.”

The Bishop of Burnley, the The Rt Rev John Goddard, said anyone who was truly sorry could be forgiven.

He said: “Clearly people have complex emotions relating to terrorism. The Christian gospel says that if a person who has caused pain is able to turn completely around, not for any self-preservation, and can really repent for the sin, then they can be given God’s forgiveneness.

“People who follow Christ can then seek to offer forgiveness as an act of grace.”

“Time and time again I am amazed by acts of forgiveness, and I feel that communities are ready to accept healing and forgiveness.

“If someone has really changed, and really does turn things round, then I would hope the community would work with them.”

North West UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall said he strongly disagreed with Badat being released, especially before the Olympics, when the country would be on a high terror alert.

He said: “If he is a would be shoe bomber, he obviously hates this country and they are absolutely bonkers to release the man.”