Two men who plotted to bomb Kent’s biggest shopping centre and kill hundreds of people have been released from prison.

Waheed Mahmood and Anthony Garcia were two of five men jailed for life after being found guilty back in April 2007 after their horror plans to use fertiliser-based explosions were uncovered.

Bluewater in Greenhithe, as well as London’s Ministry of Sound nightclub, were some of the al-Qaeda-link gang’s targets it was revealed at the time.

Mahmood, 52, from Crawley, was released from prison back in September after being cleared by the Parole Board.

A Parole Board spokesperson confirmed that a panel had directed the release of Garcia and Mahmood, adding: "Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."

The former British Gas boiler engineer, who is married and has children, went on to launch a High Court case against an application by the Met Police to make him the subject of a Serious Crime Prevention Order.

These are put in place to stop criminals and terrorists from committing further offences by restricting their movements, contacts and use of finances and technology.

Mahmood is already subject to strict licence conditions including surrendering his passport, GPS tagging, lie detector testing, signing-in with police and a curfew.

He and Garcia were lead by ringleader Omar Khyam in the terrorist plot which was foiled by MI5. Mahmood was a leading member of the gang and sent others abroad for Jihad training.

The subsequent trial was one of the biggest in UK criminal history.

Speaking at the time, judge Sir Michael Astill said: “You have betrayed this country that has given you every opportunity. All of you may never be released. It is not a foregone conclusion."

Mahmood's character was revealed after he was heard complimenting the terror of the 2004 Madrid bombings.

Speaking about the incident, which killed 191 people, he was overheard saying: "Spain was a beautiful job weren't it? Absolutely beautiful, man, so much impact."

On another occasion he talked about bombing the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent on a Saturday. He was heard saying: "I don't know how big it would be, we haven't tested it, but we could, tomorrow - do one tomorrow."

Mahmood also suggested pitching a burger van on a street corner and selling food laced with poison.