Daniel Khalife – live: Terror suspect escaped Wandsworth prison ‘clinging to delivery van’
Urgent manhunt after suspected terrorist escaped from prison
A manhunt is underway for a suspected terrorist who has escaped from a London jail.
Daniel Abed Khalife, a British Army soldier, is said to have held on to a food delivery truck in a chef’s uniform with straps.
He was reported to the Metropolitan Police this morning after being reported missing from HMP Wandsworth, where he was being held.
He is believed to have escaped from Category B prison at 7.50am.
The 21-year-old is being held in jail awaiting trial on terrorism charges and Official Secrets Act violations. This includes placing canisters of wires on a desk at an RAF base, an apparent bomb hoax.
A warning has been sent to all UK ports and airports following reports of long queues at border control.
Khalife has ties to Kingston and police understand he is “most likely” in London, although he may have traveled further afield.
London Gatwick Airport confirms additional security measures
Extra security measures are in place at all UK airports and ports – including Gatwick.
London Airport said “safety” was its top concern.
A London Gatwick spokesman said: “Additional security measures are currently in place at London Gatwick and other UK airports and ports.
“Passenger safety is our top priority.”
(PA Archive)
William MataSep 6, 2023 5:48 p.m
The prison escapes a rare occurrence in recent years
According to the Interior Ministry, there have been just five prison breaks since 2017, compared to fewer than 20 since 2010.
An incident in 1994 in which IRA prisoners broke out of Whitemoor Prison was the last incident involving terrorist prisoners.
Wandsworth Prison, from which Khalife escaped, was put on lockdown in the hours after the incident, but those restrictions have now been lifted.
An escape from Wandsworth was reported back in 2019.
William MataSep 6, 2023 5:46 p.m
Delays may occur to the Port of Dover due to increased controls
Due to the manhunt, increased controls are currently being carried out in Dover and other British ports.
The Port of Dover tweeted that these measures could cause delays in access to the port.
“Our standard travel advice remains unchanged,” it said in a statement.
William MataSep 6, 2023 5:36 p.m
The Defense Ministry said Khalife was discharged from the army in May
The Defense Ministry said Khalife was discharged from the army in May this year.
A spokesman said the 21-year-old was a “former soldier” and faces charges of terrorism and other offences.
The statement continued: “Due to pre-trial detention on these charges, Daniel Khalife was released from the army on May 22, 2023.”
William MataSep 6, 2023 5:32 p.m
The hearing was scheduled for November
Khalife was charged with a crime related to the alleged bomb-fake.
It is alleged that the soldier placed “three canisters of wires on a desk in his quarters” to create the impression in another that they “were likely to explode or ignite, causing personal injury or property damage.”
The hearing was scheduled for November 13 at Woolwich Crown Court.
A court date was scheduled for the 21-year-old Khalife in November
William MataSep 6, 2023 5:29 p.m
Khalife wore a cook’s uniform during the escape
According to the PA news agency, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk is set to speak with the governor of HMP Wandsworth and senior prison officials after a suspected terrorist escaped from prison, sparking an urgent police manhunt.
The south-west London jail went into lockdown on Wednesday morning following the escape of Daniel Abed Khalife, but restrictions have since been lifted.
The 21-year-old is understood to have been working in the kitchen and was wearing a chef’s uniform.
He is believed to have snuck out of the kitchen and grabbed onto the floor of a van to escape.
Holly EvansSep 6, 2023 5:17 p.m
Prisoner escaped ‘under a food truck’
Daniel Khalife is believed to have escaped from category B prison “under a food truck”.
He is said to have held himself to the ground with belts as the vehicle left the prison.
Holly EvansSep 6, 2023 5:04 p.m
Labor demand: Government declares Wandsworth’s escape ‘urgent’
Labor has demanded that the Government “urgently” explain how terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife managed to escape from HMP Wandsworth.
Newly appointed Shadow Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood said: “Conservatives urgently need to explain why they are unable to fulfill the fundamental task of jailing potentially dangerous criminals.”
“It is right that the police are given space to recapture this suspect. But Rishi Sunak needs to make sure there isn’t a greater risk as his zombie government doesn’t have a handle on the criminal justice system.”
Government labor demand explains Khalife’s escape from HMP Wandsworth
(PA)
Holly EvansSep 6, 2023 5:02 p.m
Warning to all UK airports and ports
In a new statement, the Met said a warning had been sent to all UK airports and ports due to reports of longer queues at border control.
“The Counter-Terrorism Command has today issued an alert in relation to Khalife to the relevant UK police and law enforcement agencies, including those at UK ports and borders, through established operational information channels,” the force said.
Holly EvansSeptember 6, 2023 5:00 p.m
Khalife held in prison for allegedly faking bombs at RAF base
Khalife was remanded in custody after allegedly staging a bomb scam at an RAF base.
It is alleged that he placed “three canisters with wires on a desk in his quarters” to create the impression in another that they “were likely to explode or ignite, causing personal injury or property damage”.
He is also charged with eliciting or attempting information that could be useful to a terrorist on August 2, 2021, and violating the Official Secrets Act by speaking between May 1, 2019 and January 6, 2022 Gathered information that could be useful to an enemy.
He denied all allegations during an appearance at the Old Bailey and is due in court on November 13.
Holly EvansSep 6, 2023 4:55 p.m
