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'UK student' in jet terror probe 'UK student' in jet terror probe
(10 minutes later)
Police are conducting searches at a mansion block in London in connection with the inquiry into an attempted act of terrorism on a US passenger plane.Police are conducting searches at a mansion block in London in connection with the inquiry into an attempted act of terrorism on a US passenger plane.
A man held after the flight to Detroit is said to be a 23-year-old Nigerian, who is thought to have been a student at University College London (UCL).A man held after the flight to Detroit is said to be a 23-year-old Nigerian, who is thought to have been a student at University College London (UCL).
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the UK would take "whatever action was necessary" to protect passengers.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the UK would take "whatever action was necessary" to protect passengers.
UK airport operator BAA said searches for flights to the US would increase. Police have begun sealing off a street in central London linked to the man.
The name of the arrested man has not been released officially, but US media reports named him as either Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab or Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Reports said he has links to al-Qaeda. Officers are cordoning off Mansfield Street, in Marylebone, where a flat linked to the arrested man is located.
Meanwhile UK airport operator BAA said searches for flights to the US would increase.
His name has not been released officially, but US media reports named him as either Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab or Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Reports said he has links to al-Qaeda.
The security of the public must always be our primary concern Gordon Brown US probes flight 'terror attack' 'Attack' raises fresh security fearsThe security of the public must always be our primary concern Gordon Brown US probes flight 'terror attack' 'Attack' raises fresh security fears
A spokesperson for UCL said a student called Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was enrolled on a mechanical engineering course between September 2005 and June 2008.A spokesperson for UCL said a student called Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was enrolled on a mechanical engineering course between September 2005 and June 2008.
It added: "It must be stressed that the university has no evidence that this is the same person currently being referred to in the media."It added: "It must be stressed that the university has no evidence that this is the same person currently being referred to in the media."
Meanwhile, Nigerian banker Alhaji Umaru Mutallab has said his 23-year-old son may be the man connected with the failed incident.Meanwhile, Nigerian banker Alhaji Umaru Mutallab has said his 23-year-old son may be the man connected with the failed incident.
He said his son left London where he was a student to travel but he did not know where he went.He said his son left London where he was a student to travel but he did not know where he went.
Mr Mutallab said: "I believe he might have been to Yemen, but we are investigating to determine that."Mr Mutallab said: "I believe he might have been to Yemen, but we are investigating to determine that."
The former minister and chairman of First Bank in Nigeria has left his home in the north of the country to meet security officials in the capital Abuja.The former minister and chairman of First Bank in Nigeria has left his home in the north of the country to meet security officials in the capital Abuja.
His family has a home in Mansfield Street, Marylebone, central London, which was searched by police. SImilar properties have been sold for between £1.5m and £2.5m. His family has a home in the mansion block, where similar properties have recently sold for between £1.5m and £2.5m.
New rulesNew rules
In a statement, BAA said: "Passengers travelling to the United States should expect their airline to carry out additional security checks prior to boarding."In a statement, BAA said: "Passengers travelling to the United States should expect their airline to carry out additional security checks prior to boarding."
A statement on the British Airways website said Washington has revised its security arrangements for all travellers to the US and they would only be allowed one piece of hand luggage.A statement on the British Airways website said Washington has revised its security arrangements for all travellers to the US and they would only be allowed one piece of hand luggage.
The plane was carrying 278 passengers
A BA spokesman said the directive meant US-bound passengers on all airlines would be subjected to additional screening.A BA spokesman said the directive meant US-bound passengers on all airlines would be subjected to additional screening.
"We apologise to passengers for any delays to their journeys. Safety and security are our top priorities and will not be compromised.""We apologise to passengers for any delays to their journeys. Safety and security are our top priorities and will not be compromised."
Passengers on the Northwest Airlines Flight 253 operated by Delta say a man was overpowered on Christmas Day after trying to ignite an explosive device as the Airbus 330 approached Detroit from Amsterdam.Passengers on the Northwest Airlines Flight 253 operated by Delta say a man was overpowered on Christmas Day after trying to ignite an explosive device as the Airbus 330 approached Detroit from Amsterdam.
The plane was carrying 278 passengers
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said the British authorities were informed of a possible connection to the UK on Thursday evening.BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said the British authorities were informed of a possible connection to the UK on Thursday evening.
MI5 and police teams assigned to the case are trying ascertain whether Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab are the same person, he added.MI5 and police teams assigned to the case are trying ascertain whether Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab are the same person, he added.
It is understood one of their key priorities will also be to check whether the arrested man has cropped up in the course of any other investigations.It is understood one of their key priorities will also be to check whether the arrested man has cropped up in the course of any other investigations.
The prime minister said he had been in contact with Sir Paul Stephenson, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, because of the "serious potential threat".The prime minister said he had been in contact with Sir Paul Stephenson, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, because of the "serious potential threat".
Mr Brown said: "The security of the public must always be our primary concern.Mr Brown said: "The security of the public must always be our primary concern.
"We have been working closely with the US authorities investigating this incident since it happened.""We have been working closely with the US authorities investigating this incident since it happened."
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: "We will ensure that the UK continues to have in place the most appropriate security measures to protect the public from the terrorist threat wherever it originates from."Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: "We will ensure that the UK continues to have in place the most appropriate security measures to protect the public from the terrorist threat wherever it originates from."
Exclusive flatsExclusive flats
BBC News correspondent Richard Slee said there was fairly low-key police activity at the last known address of Mr Abdulmutallab, a basement flat in the block near Harley Street.BBC News correspondent Richard Slee said there was fairly low-key police activity at the last known address of Mr Abdulmutallab, a basement flat in the block near Harley Street.
Flats in the building have sold for up to £2.5mFlats in the building have sold for up to £2.5m
Reporting from the scene, he said police forensic officers have been seen going into the building.Reporting from the scene, he said police forensic officers have been seen going into the building.
A blue English Heritage plaque states that philanthropist Sir Robert Mayer once lived there.A blue English Heritage plaque states that philanthropist Sir Robert Mayer once lived there.
The Metropolitan Police said its officers were liaising with the US authorities.The Metropolitan Police said its officers were liaising with the US authorities.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "Searches are being carried out at addresses in central London."A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "Searches are being carried out at addresses in central London."