Dhiren Barot was carrying a one-day RIBA reading pass when he was arrested

Al-Qaeda terrorist Dhiren Barot used the RIBA library to research his planned attacks on targets in London and New York.

Police revealed that Barot, who has just been sentenced to 40 years in prison for plotting mass murder, was carrying a one-day reading pass to the Portland Place building when they arrested him.

It is thought he studied architectural magazines kept in the library to research the plans of buildings he wanted to attack including the New York Stock Exchange.

Barot used the images to help draw up documents setting out their lay out, security measures and access and escape routes. He planned to blow up five of the USA鈥檚 most important financial institutions.

Barot, 34, received a life sentence earlier this week after admitting conspiracy to murder.