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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Flat searched in plane bomb probe | Flat searched in plane bomb probe |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Police have been searching a number of properties in central London after a man was charged with trying to blow up a US airliner flying to Detroit. | Police have been searching a number of properties in central London after a man was charged with trying to blow up a US airliner flying to Detroit. |
| Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, from Nigeria, is alleged to have had an explosive device hidden in his clothes. | Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, from Nigeria, is alleged to have had an explosive device hidden in his clothes. |
| Security has been stepped up at UK airports for flights to the US following the incident. | Security has been stepped up at UK airports for flights to the US following the incident. |
| It has also emerged that the suspect, who previously studied in London, was denied a UK visa this summer. | It has also emerged that the suspect, who previously studied in London, was denied a UK visa this summer. |
| Mr Abdulmutallab is said to have been an engineering student at University College London between 2005 and 2008. | Mr Abdulmutallab is said to have been an engineering student at University College London between 2005 and 2008. |
| But according to Whitehall sources he was refused permission to return by the UK Border Agency after attempting to apply for a course at a bogus college. | But according to Whitehall sources he was refused permission to return by the UK Border Agency after attempting to apply for a course at a bogus college. |
| Hospital room | Hospital room |
| The Metropolitan Police have been searching a flat at an apartment block in Mansfield Street, Marylebone, and other properties in the capital. | The Metropolitan Police have been searching a flat at an apartment block in Mansfield Street, Marylebone, and other properties in the capital. |
| Meanwhile, in the US a federal judge has formally charged Mr Abdulmutallab with attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft on Christmas Day. | Meanwhile, in the US a federal judge has formally charged Mr Abdulmutallab with attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft on Christmas Day. |
| The hearing took place in Mr Abdulmutallab's hospital room at the University of Michigan Medical Center where he is being treated for burns. | The hearing took place in Mr Abdulmutallab's hospital room at the University of Michigan Medical Center where he is being treated for burns. |
| An affidavit filed in support of the charge stated: "As the flight was approaching Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Abdulmutallab set off the device, which resulted in a fire and what appears to have been an explosion." | An affidavit filed in support of the charge stated: "As the flight was approaching Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Abdulmutallab set off the device, which resulted in a fire and what appears to have been an explosion." |
| We've agreed with the US authorities enhanced search regimes for passengers Transport Secretary Lord Adonis Father warned about 'jet bomber' 'Attack' raises fresh security fears | |
| Passengers on Flight 253 say a man was overpowered after trying to ignite an explosive device as the Airbus A330 came into land. | Passengers on Flight 253 say a man was overpowered after trying to ignite an explosive device as the Airbus A330 came into land. |
| BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said the device contained about 80g of a high explosive, which had been moulded around the suspect's body and was apparently able to pass undetected through airport checks. | BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said the device contained about 80g of a high explosive, which had been moulded around the suspect's body and was apparently able to pass undetected through airport checks. |
| It has emerged that Mr Abdulmutallab's father, a prominent Nigerian banker, flagged up to US authorities concerns about his son's extreme views. | |
| He may also have been on the radar of UK intelligence but did not cause American officials serious concern and so was not on the US no-fly list. | |
| It is understood one of the British authorities' key priorities will be to check whether he has cropped up in the course of any other investigations. | It is understood one of the British authorities' key priorities will be to check whether he has cropped up in the course of any other investigations. |
| Delays | Delays |
| Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC that security had been tightened on transatlantic flights. | Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC that security had been tightened on transatlantic flights. |
| "We've agreed with the US authorities enhanced search regimes for passengers on flights to and from the United States," he said. | "We've agreed with the US authorities enhanced search regimes for passengers on flights to and from the United States," he said. |
| "Those have taken place immediately. They will lead to delays in flights to the US, which I'm sure passengers will understand in the circumstances." | "Those have taken place immediately. They will lead to delays in flights to the US, which I'm sure passengers will understand in the circumstances." |
| UK airport operator BAA confirmed that passengers taking flights to the US would face increased searches before boarding. | UK airport operator BAA confirmed that passengers taking flights to the US would face increased searches before boarding. |
| The plane was carrying 278 passengers | |
| The British Airways website, meanwhile, said that under revised security arrangements, travellers to the US would only be allowed one piece of hand luggage. | The British Airways website, meanwhile, said that under revised security arrangements, travellers to the US would only be allowed one piece of hand luggage. |
| A spokesman said: "We apologise to passengers for any delays to their journeys. Safety and security are our top priorities and will not be compromised." | A spokesman said: "We apologise to passengers for any delays to their journeys. Safety and security are our top priorities and will not be compromised." |
| Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent, told the BBC the extra checks were causing massive delays at a time when 25,000 people were leaving the UK on 100 daily US-bound flights. | |
| "There's going to be more strain on the check-in desks, lots of people turning up at the airports don't know the new rule and of course there's lots of repacking," he said. | |
| Mr Calder said questioning on US visa applications were unlikely to get more intrusive because it appeared Mr Abdulmutallab had travelled despite being of interest to the authorities. | |
| However, he said if the "pat-down" searches being imposed on travellers to the US were extended to all flights, it would get "expensive and very slow in terms of processing people". |