TERROR-ACCUSED doctor Mohammed Asha was urged to take more interest in the "plight of Muslims", a court has heard.

Asha, who worked at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, is accused at Woolwich Crown Court of conspiring to murder and cause explosions in London and Glasgow last June.

The 28-year-old Jordanian, of Sunningdale Grove, Chesterton, insists he knew nothing about the plot allegedly carried out by co-defendant Bilal Abdulla and another man, Kafeel Ahmed, who died after the Glasgow attack.

Asha's barrister, Stephen Kamlish, yesterday continued his cross-examination of Abdulla who agrees that Asha was not involved in the plot.

While Abdulla, an Iraqi, had an active interest in politics and the insurgency in his homeland, he said Asha was far more interested in furthering his career.

Abdulla, aged 29, said: "I've always said there is nothing wrong with being a good doctor and following your career. But you can go to extremes at the expense of other aspects of life, like worship and meditation."

Abdulla is said to have gone down to London to meet his co-conspirator, and the pair drove back to Scotland, stopping overnight at Asha's house.

But Abdulla said they only decided to do this as they were on their way north, which Mr Kamlish said indicated that Asha was not a part of the conspiracy.

Both men deny all the charges. The trial continues.