This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8430872.stm

The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
'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.
Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, a Nigerian being held after the flight to Detroit, is thought to have been a student at University College London.Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, a Nigerian being held after the flight to Detroit, is thought to have been a student at University College London.
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 on flights to the US would increase. UK airport operator BAA said searches for flights to the US would increase.
BAA said: "Passengers travelling to the United States should expect their airline to carry out additional security checks prior to boarding."BAA said: "Passengers travelling to the United States should expect their airline to carry out additional security checks prior to boarding."
Meanwhile, 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.Meanwhile, 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 security of the public must always be our primary concern Gordon Brown US probes flight 'terror attack'The security of the public must always be our primary concern Gordon Brown US probes flight 'terror attack'
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."
Extra resourcesExtra resources
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.
According to reports in the US, Mr Abdulmutallab has links to al-Qaeda.According to reports in the US, Mr Abdulmutallab has links to al-Qaeda.
UCL said it had a record of a student with a name similar to the man being questioned in the US.UCL said it had a record of a student with a name similar to the man being questioned in the US.
A spokesperson said that while the name Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab did not appear in its records, a student called Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was enrolled on a mechanical engineering course between September 2005 and June 2008.A spokesperson said that while the name Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab did not appear in its records, 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."
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.
The plane was carrying 278 passengersThe plane was carrying 278 passengers
The MI5 and police teams assigned to the case are trying ascertain whether Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is the same person, our correspondent said. The MI5 and police teams assigned to the case are trying ascertain whether Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is 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."
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 a smart mansion block near Harley Street in central London. £1.5m 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 a mansion block near Harley Street in central London.
Reporting from the scene, he said police forensic officers have been seen going into the building on Mansfield Street.Reporting from the scene, he said police forensic officers have been seen going into the building on Mansfield Street.
Flats in the building sell for between £1.5m and £2.5m and residents are now asking how a student could afford to live in such an exclusive location, our correspondent said.
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."
A UK Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "In response to events in Detroit the US authorities have requested additional measures for US-bound flights.
"We are monitoring the situation and will make any assessments as necessary as this develops."