Brit soldier accused of terror plot escapes from jail as UK airports put on alert

A Brit soldier facing terrorism charges has escpaed from jail, sparking a huge manhunt as the 21-year-old goes on the run, as UK airports step up security.

Daniel Abed Khalife, a serving member of the British Army who is awaiting trial for terror and Official Secrets Act offences, escaped from Wandsworth prison on Wednesday morning, the Metropolitan Police said.

It is believed he escaped from the prison at approximately 07:50hrs after he hitched onto a vehicle and fled, The Sun reported.

READ MORE: UK airport at standstill as ‘national incident’ declared while cops hunt someone

Later on a “national incident” was declared and Border Control were on high alert after a dictat issued by the Counter Terrorism Command.

Extra checks on IDs are taking place and long queues forming as a result at airports across the United Kingdom, as the Daily Star reported earlier.

All airports and ports in the country are understood to be on ‘high alert.’

Khalife was charged with collecting information, notes, and documents which would be “useful to the enemy”.

It is said that the young former solider who was based at Beacon Barracks in Beaconside, Stafford, took soldier details from the MoD personnel files which would be “useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”.

Khalife was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, red and white chequered trousers and brown steel toe cap boots.

He is of slim build, has short brown hair and is around 6ft 2ins tall.

Khalife has links to the Kingston area. It is believed he most likely remains in the London area at this time, although he may have travelled further afield.

If seen, the public are advised not to approach Khalife and to call 999 immediately, quoting reference CAD 1631/06SEP23.

Officers are keen to hear from anyone with information that might assist with locating Khalife – even if it doesn’t relate to a live sighting.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “We have a team of officers who are making extensive and urgent enquiries in order to locate and detain Khalife as quickly as possible.

“However, the public can help us as well and should anyone see Khalife, or have any information as to where he might be, then please call 999 or the immediately.

“I also want to reassure the public that we have no information which indicates, nor any reason to believe that Khalife poses a threat to the wider public, but our advice if you do see him is not to approach him and call 999 straight away.”

Passengers at UK ports spoke of the chaos earlier today, after a tannoy announcement at Glasgow Airport reportedly revealed that it was a “national incident” causing delays.

Traveller John Robertson, who is heading to London, told the Daily Record earlier: “I’m not sure what was going on but it seems like they were looking for someone specific.”

One social media user meanwhile claimed they had missed their flight to Southampton as a result of the disruption, while another complained of being stuck in the airport on a hot day without air conditioning.

Met Police told MyLondon: “An alert was issued by the Counter Terrorism Command earlier today in relation to Khalife through established operational briefing channels to relevant UK police and law enforcements agencies, including those at UK ports and borders.”

Khalife is also accused of a bomb hoax, by allegedly leaving “three canisters with wires” on a desk in his Army lodgings on Jaunary 2, 2023.

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