An Algerian pilot living in Berkshire is facing extradition to the US accused of training four of the suicide hijackers who launched the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
Mr Lotfi Raissi (27) appeared at Bow Street Magistrates Court yesterday on an international arrest warrant. He has denied any involvement in the terrorist attacks, but the court was told Mr Raissi was the "lead instructor" and that he flew to the US in June where he travelled to Arizona with the hijacker who plunged his aircraft into the Pentagon. It is also alleged that Mr Raissi supplied false documents to the four pilots so they could obtain flying licences.
The details of the allegations emerged as the Home Secretary, Mr David Blunkett, denied Cabinet ministers were responsible for inflating the terrorist risk facing Britain. The Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw and his junior minister, Mr Peter Hain, told separate BBC programmes they believed Osama bin Laden was planning further terrorist attacks and that Britain could be targetted.
Mr Blunkett insisted their comments were consistent with the current state of alertness in Britain. In a related move, Downing Street sought to close off speculation about terrorist attacks, insisting officials in Britain and the US did not believe there were any "significant" British connections to the suicide hijackings.
Scotland Yard yesterday confirmed ten of the 19 hijackers had passed through Britain on their way to the US.
In a separate development, the Foreign Office said last night it was urgently seeking clarification of reports that British journalist, Ms Yvonne Ridley, had been arrested in Afghanistan. It is believed that Ms Ridley, who works for the Sunday Express, was arrested with two guides 40 miles south-east of Jalalabad.
Michael Jansen adds: The ninth biennial summit of French speaking nations is certain to be postponed due to the terrorist atrocities in the US and Washington's "war against terrorism". The summit, in Beirut next month was to be attended by 55 countries, with a combined population of 500 million.