BA worker held in terror funds probe

A British Airways worker is being questioned by police over terrorist fund raising, it emerged today.

The 30-year-old man, arrested at one of the air company's offices in Newcastle last Thursday, is being held at a central London police station.

Scotland Yard said searches of the premises and a residential address in the Newcastle area were also carried out .

A spokesman for British Airways said: "An employee was arrested at our Newcastle office last week.

"We take matters relating to security extremely seriously and as a responsible company always co-operate fully with the police.

"As with any issue relating to a police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further."

The suspect was arrested by officers from the North East Counter Terrorism Unit as part of a joint operation with the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command.

According to The Sun, officers swooped after a tip-off.

Detectives were granted more time to question the man during a court hearing on Saturday.

Scotland Yard said: "On 25 February a 30-year-old man was arrested at a business address in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on suspicion of terrorist fund raising.

"He remains in custody at a central London police station.

"Searches of the business premises, and residential premises in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area, are complete."

Members of the security services have been on increased alert after the failed Christmas Day bomb plot to blow up a jet over Detroit in the United States.

Former University of London student Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is being held in the US over the attempt.