Britain's Foreign Office said today it was seeking consular access to a man on a US-bound plane who was arrested after apparently being found with explosives concealed in the heels of his shoe.
The passenger was allegedly travelling on the flight from Paris to Miami on a false British passport issued in Belgium three weeks ago under the name of a Richard Reid, according to US officials.
Passengers and crew overpowered him as he seemed to be attempting to ignite the explosives while in mid-flight Saturday aboard the American Airlines plane carrying 197 people.
The plane, escorted by two US fighter jets, was diverted to Boston where he was detained by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We're currently seeking consular access to him as we would to anyone travelling on a British passport."
She said there had been "no confirmation yet" that the passport was false, and the Foreign Office was waiting for a formal request by US authorities for assistance, which had not yet arrived.
"We are really waiting for the Americans. If they do (request help) then we will move on," she told AFP.
However, she hinted that, pending a formal request, British officials were already looking into the status of the passport, as well as how and to whom it was obtained and to whom.
The suspect has been charged with "interfering with a flight crew" and will be detained at least until Wednesday, US officials have said.
AFP