Terror suspect in court

A British Muslim has appeared in court in London this morning charged with conspiring with shoe bomber Richard Reid.

Sajid Badat was arrested by anti-terrorist police in Gloucester last week in the first of a series of raids nationwide. He has been remanded in custody.

Badat has been charged with unlawfully and maliciously conspiring with Richard Reid and others to cause an explosion, and two further charges of possessing explosive materials, Scotland Yard said.

Reid, 29, who tried to blow up a transatlantic jet with explosives hidden in his footwear, began a life sentence in January, imposed by a US district court in Boston.

He was overpowered by some of the 197 passengers and crew aboard the American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami, when he attempted to light the fuse to trigger explosives packed into his shoes.

Badat appeared before Bow Street Magistrates Court charged with unlawfully and maliciously conspiring with Reid and "others unknown to cause by an explosive device an explosion of a nature likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property in the United Kingdom or elsewhere" between September 1 2001 and November 28 2003.

He is also charged between the same date of having in his possession or under his control an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, or cause serious injury to property in the UK or elsewhere, or to enable any other person so to do.

Badat is also charged with having on November 27 2003 an explosive substance "under such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that you did not have it in your possession or under your control for a lawful object".

Badat, a British Muslim, was originally detained in Gloucester.

Police had until today to either charge or release him, or apply for a final extension to question him until tomorrow.