Daniel Khalife — live: Nationwide hunt for terror suspect who escaped Wandsworth prison as airports on alert

A major manhunt is underway for a suspected terrorist who has escaped from a London prison.

Daniel Abed Khalife, a serving British Army soldier, is thought to have used straps to cling on to a food delivery van while wearing a chef’s uniform.

He was reported to the Metropolitan Police this morning after he was reported missing from HMP Wandsworth, where he was being held.

It is believed that he escaped from the Category B prison at 7.50am.

The 21-year-old is being held in prison while awaiting trial for terror charges and Official Secrets Act offences. This includes placing cannisters with wires on a desk at an RAF base in an apparent bomb hoax.

An alert has been sent to all UK ports and airports amid reports of long queues at border control.

Khalife has connections to Kingston and police believe he is “most likely” in London, although he may have travelled further afield.

Key Points

• Suspected terrorist escapes from HMP Wandsworth

• Khalife held in prison over alleged bomb hoax at RAF base

• Airports and ports alerted, says Met

‘Almost certain’ terror suspect who escaped from Wandsworth prison had inside help

14:46 , William Mata

A security official has said it is “almost certain” a terror suspect who escaped from a prison while strapped to the bottom of a food delivery truck had inside help to flee - Amy-Clare Martin reports.

A nationwide manhunt is underway after former soldier Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, was wearing a chef’s uniform as he fled HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday morning.

Khalife was being held on remand after he was accused of planting fake bombs at a military base, and airports and ports have since been put on high alert over fears he will try to leave the country.

A security official told The Independent that all prison staff were being interviewed after the major security breach.

“All the indications are that this was an orchestrated job and not an opportunistic escape. It is almost certain that he had some inside help from the prison," he said.

See Amy-Clare Martin’s full story here.

Staff cuts have consequences, says union

14:56 , William Mata

Steve Gillan, general secretary of the Prison Officers Association (POA), said “cuts have consequences” after the escape of Daniel Khalife.

“You cannot take out 900 million from the budget with reduced staffing levels up and down the country and expect the Prison Service to operate as if nothing has happened,” said the union leader.

“Government needs to take responsibility for the decimation of the Prison Service with less staff and more prisoners and Wandsworth is a typical example of what life is like for serving Prison Officers operating in a stressful and violent workplace with inadequate staff levels.”

More prisons could see escapes ‘due to chronic staff shortages'

14:35 , William Mata

More prisons across the UK could be at risk of inmates escaping due to “chronic staff shortages”, an MP has warned following suspected terrorist Daniel Khalife’s jailbreak in London, Matt Mathers reports.

Mr Khalife escaped from the Category B Wandsworth prison on Wednesday, sparking a national search for his whereabouts, Rosena Allin-Khan, the MP for the area, told The Independent staffing conditions were likely to worsen unless the government “sorted out poor pay and conditions to improve staff retention.”

Ms Allin-Khan said that it was “just a matter of time” before mistakes occurred at Wandsworth, which she said was “frequently” understaffed.“ Prisons across the country are facing the same problems and, realistically, this could have happened at any one of them,” she said.

Former Belmarsh and Brixton prison governor says escape could have been an inside job

14:32 , William Mata

Daniel Khalife’s escape from HMP Wandsworth could have been an inside job, the former governor of Belmarsh and Brixton prisons has said.

John Podmore who governed the prisons, told the World at One Mr Khalife “should have been in Belmarsh” and that he “couldn’t understand” why he wasn’t.

And he said the decision to give Mr Khalife a job in the kitchen at HMP Wandsworth was “quite astonishing”.

Mr Podmore said: “The prison kitchen is a plum job. And it goes to the most reliable, allegedly reliable, trusted prisoners chosen by staff.

“And it is a very vulnerable area. It’s where we’ve seen vehicles keep coming, going in and out. goods coming in and out on a regular basis. It’s the kitchens usually close to the gate. So it’s a very vulnerable area. So you choose who goes there very, very carefully.”

Mr Podmore, who was previously an inspector of prisons, said of the prison system: “It certainly doesn’t protect the public because prisons at the moment are making people worse, they are not protecting the public.”

Staffing problems have ‘dogged’ HMP Wandsworth, says Chief Inspector

14:03 , William Mata

Charlie Taylor, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, said that concerns at HMP Wandsworth have been flagged over a number of years – saying lack of staff had “dogged” the prison.

He told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme: “This is very concerning because Wandsworth had a previous escape in 2019 as well. Obviously any prisoner getting out of the jail is extremely rare event. But particularly a prisoner who’s accused of a terrorist offence makes it all worse.“

But to some extent, our concerns about Wandsworth over number of years make it a jail that’s more likely for this sort of thing to happen. Particularly the lack of staffing which has dogged the prison. I think when we last inspected at the end of 2021, they were 30 per cent short of staff.

He added: “It may be that things have improved since we last inspected the jail. But certainly it’s been an ongoing issue with the prison, particularly as it is such an overcrowded but also very busy prison.”

‘Certain’ that Khalife ‘had help from inside prison’ - security official tells Independent

13:42 , William Mata

All prison staff at HMP Wandsworth are being interviewed after Khalife was able to flee while strapped to the bottom of a food delivery truck.

A security official told The Independent: “All the indications are that this was an orchestrated job and not an opportunistic escape.

“It is almost certain that he had some inside help from the prison.”

It is understood that Khalife’s father is Iranian while his mother is English.

A former soldier who has close knowledge of the suspect’s time in the Army said he was not known to be religious or show a keen interest in politics.

“He wasn’t any trouble and was always seen as a decent guy.”

Units from the 16 Signals regiment are attached to elite frontline British Army regiments including special forces, parachute regiment, guerkhas and the royal marines.

Khalife would have had access to state of the art defence electrical equipment.

Wandsworth Prison: ‘Serious concern’ raised before escape

13:38 , William Mata

Wandsworth Prison’s performance was rated as a “serious concern” and a string of warnings had been issued about the jail in the past year before Daniel Khalife’s escape.

In the Annual Prison Performance Ratings for 2022/23, published in July, Wandsworth was among nine rated as a “serious concern” and chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor warned staff shortages are "the source of many problems".

Its overall performance score, based on a range of measures including security, rehabilitation and training and expressed as a proportion of 100 per cent, was 46.4 per cent - one of the lowest out of all 119 prisons.

Wandsworth was handed the same “serious concern” rating in 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19.

While it is "concerning when anybody escapes from prison" and they are "now very rare", the nature of the allegations levelled at Daniel Abed Khalife made this case "extremely concerning", he added.

All we know about how suspected terrorist Daniel Abed Khalife escaped HMP Wandsworth

13:22 , William Mata

Daniel Abed Khalife, a former British Army soldier, is thought to have used makeshift straps to cling onto a food delivery van while wearing a chef’s uniform.

He escaped from the Category B prison on Wednesday morning.

He was awaiting trial for providing information about the British army to the enemy. As of Thursday morning, there has been no reported trace of his whereabouts.

Barney Davis has the full report here on all we know so far about his escape.

Starmer hits out at government’s record on changing justice secretaries

13:19 , William Mata

Sir Keir Starmer has hit out at the government’s chopping and changing cabinet for creating uncertainty within the ministry.

"It certainly hasn't helped that in the last 10 years we've had 10 justice secretaries,” the Labour leader told Sky News.

“I know from my time as director of prosecutions just how important stability is when it comes to criminal justice.”

Port of Dover continuing to advise passengers to take more time in crossing

13:14 , William Mata

The Port of Dover is continuing to advise passengers to take more time in crossing because of the “enhanced” checks.

The Brock Zero traffic management system is now in place – which means the M20 in Kent is closed between junctions 8 and 9.

Ports and airports across the UK have said that vigorous checks will be taking place as the search for Khalife continues.

Staff shortages ‘the source of many problems’ - chief inspector of prisons

12:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The chief inspector of prisons has warned staff shortages are “the source of many problems” at HMP Wandsworth, where a suspected terrorist soldier escaped undetected.

Charlie Taylor said it is “concerning when anybody escapes from prison” and they are “now very rare”. But the nature of the allegations levelled at Daniel Abed Khalife made this case “extremely concerning”, he added.

Mr Taylor said it “should be standard practice” for vehicles entering and leaving the prison to be checked and a prisoner has to earn a “certain level of trust” in order to be allowed to work in a kitchen.

He said: “Something obviously went wrong in terms of security, and that will come out over time.

“But the issue that we are particularly concerned about is there are too many prisoners in Wandsworth for the amount of staff who are there. And that ultimately is the source of many of the problems in the jail.

Watch: ‘No stone can be left unturned,’ justice secretary says amid manhunt

12:33 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Justice secretary Alex Chalk told MPs today that Daniel Khalife “will be found and will be made to face justice”.

Labour MP: Why was Daniel Khalife trusted to work in the kitchen?

12:18 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Conservative MP Mark Fletcher asked whether the justice secretary was considering if Daniel Khalife had assistance with his escape.

Mr Fletcher said: “The presence of strapping on the underside of the vehicle would seem to indicate that there may have been some planning involved in this.

“In regards to protocols and staffing arrangements, are there any implications that he may have had some assistance in this particular escape?”

Justice secretary Alex Chalk said the idea had also occurred to him and colleagues and officials.

“All lines of inquiry being considered,” Mr Chalk said.

Urgent reviews announced after ‘strapping’ found underneath delivery van

12:17 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Justice secretary Alex Chalk told MPs that two urgent reviews would also take place regarding the categorisation and placement of all HMP Wandsworth prisoners and all those in custody charged with terrorism offences.

Mr Chalk said that “strapping” was found underneath a delivery vehicle which he added may indicate Khalife held on to the underside of it in order to escape.

There are fears the fugitive - who has been missing since 8am on Wednesday - might try to flee the country.

Detailing what he knew of Khalife’s escape, Mr Chalk told MPs: “At approximately 7.30 yesterday morning, a vehicle which had made a delivery to the prison’s kitchen left HMP Wandsworth.

“Shortly afterwards, local contingency plans for an unaccounted prisoner were activated and in line with standard procedure the police were informed.

“The prison was put into a state of lockdown while staff attempted to determine Daniel Khalife’s whereabouts.

“The vehicle was stopped and searched by police after the alert was raised.

“Strapping was found underneath the vehicle which appeared to indicate Daniel Khalife may have held onto the underside of it in order to escape.”

Mr Chalk ended his statement by saying: “Daniel Khalife will be found and will be made to face justice.”

Starmer says there is ‘a lot to look at’ after prisoner escaped Wandsworth

12:14 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sir Keir Starmer told broadcasters said that there was a “lot to look at” regarding how a prisoner could escape in this way.

“I think we need to have an independent insight into what went wrong. I think everybody will want to know why some of the reports of failings in Wandsworth were not acted upon more quickly. I think we may well find, as we have found in other sectors, there is a pattern of behaviour that isn’t just confined to Wandsworth.

He said that the “chopping and changing” of secretaries of state had produced “instability and inconsistency”.

“Decisions that should be made are not made in the way they should.

“There is a lot to look at here.”

Khalife was never in Belmarsh prison, justice secretary confirms

12:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Daniel Khalife was never in Belmarsh prison, Alex Chalk has confirmed in response to a question from shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood.

Ms Mahmood, who was handed the justice brief in this week’s Labour reshuffle, said: “Why was a suspected terror offender held at a Category B jail whilst on remand despite many other suspected and indeed convicted terrorists being held in the high security estate?

“Why was Daniel Khalife moved from Belmarsh to Wandsworth?”

Mr Chalk said the question was “factually incorrect”.

“He was never in Belmarsh,” Mr Chalk said.

All we know about HMP Wandsworth as terror suspect Daniel Khalife escapes ‘by clinging to food delivery van’

11:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

HMP Wandsworth has found itself under the spotlight after a national manhunt was launched for an escaped terror suspect.

Daniel Abed Khalife, a 21-year-old soldier with the Royal Corps of Signals was being held on remand at the Category B prison after he was accused of planting fake bombs at a military base in the West Midlands, and other charges relating to the Official Secrets Act.

Security was tightened at airports and other international departure points on Wednesday, after Khalife – who worked in the prison’s kitchen – outwitted the guards as he fled the south London jail in his cook’s uniform at 7.50am.

All we know about ‘vermin infested’ Wandsworth prison as terror suspect escapes

Map shows key locations in search for prison escapee Khalife

11:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

As the manhunt for Daniel Abed Khalife continues, this map shows the key areas in the search for the 21-year-old terror suspect.

Khalife escaped from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday morning just before 8am. It has now been over 24 hours since his shocking break-out.

Police said Khalife has “links” to the Kingston-upon-Thames area, but the search has expanded across the whole country.

Sunak insists prison escapes are ‘extremely rare’ as manhunt continues

11:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak insisted prison escapes are “extremely rare” as a manhunt continues for terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife as he rejected calls for an internal inquiry.

Asked by broadcasters on a visit to the University of Warwick why such a suspect was not being held in a Category A prison, the Prime Minister told broadcasters: “First thing I want to say is thankfully these incidences are extremely rare.

“I can’t give too many details because there’s an ongoing police operation, I hope people will understand that, but I want to reassure people that public safety is of course, our paramount responsibility.

“The Justice Secretary has initiated already an internal inquiry into the specific circumstances around this particular individual and this case but the most important thing now is for anyone if they have any information at all that they think is relevant to please contact the police.”

Asked whether there will be an independent inquiry launched as demanded by Labour, Mr Sunak said the “Justice Secretary has already initiated an internal inquiry into what the circumstances are surrounding this particular incident”.

Manhunt adds to UK travel chaos

10:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Travellers leaving the UK face delays due to police checks in the hunt for Daniel Khalife, who escaped from Wandsworth Prison in south London on Wednesday.

Because the UK has no formal border processing of outbound travellers, any additional checks add to the usual time taken to get through airport and port formalities.

One airline insider told The Independent: “It would be interesting to know how many passengers missed flights due to the search for the most wanted bloke in Britain. Caused utter havoc at several airports.”

Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, is telling passengers: “Heathrow is operating as normal. However, due to additional security checks being carried out, waiting times for departing passengers may be longer than usual.”

The Port of Dover tweeted: “Due to a police matter, there are currently enhanced checks on outbound traffic at the Port of Dover and other portals within the UK.”

Simon Calder reports:

Travel chaos drags on with Nats staff shortage and manhunt border delays

Wandsworth prison warned over ‘serious security breach’ last year after inmate escape in 2019

10:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Serious security concerns at the prison where a terror suspect escaped by clinging to a food delivery van were flagged last year after another inmate fled the jail in 2019.

A nationwide manhunt is underway after former soldier Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, who escaped HMP Wandsworth while wearing a chef’s uniform.

Khalife was being held on remand after he was accused of planting fake bombs at a military base and airports and ports have since been put on high alert over fears he will try to leave the country.

Concerns around security at the category B prison there were flagged last year following the escape of a prisoner five years ago.

Our crime correspondent Amy-ClareMartin reports:

Wandsworth prison warned over ‘serious security breach’ after inmate escape in 2019

Who is Daniel Abed Khalife? Royal Signals soldier accused of planting fake bombs

10:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A soldier turned terror suspect, Daniel Abed Khalife is now the subject of a nationwide manhunt after outwitting the guards at a London prison.

He is believed to have escaped in a chef’s outfit by using straps to cling onto a food delivery van, with his current location unknown.

With airports and ports installing additional security measures and holidaymakers reporting delays at border control, his escape has posed serious questions about the suitability of his incarceration at a Category B prison.

All we know about Daniel Khalife - Royal Signals soldier on the run from prison

Ben Shephard accuses Tory MP of ‘trying to score political points’ as Daniel Khalife manhunt continues

09:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ben Shephard accused Conservative MP Michelle Donelan of ‘trying to score political points’ as the manhunt for suspected terrorist Daniel Abed Khalife continues.

Science and Technology Minister Michelle Donelan told Good Morning Britain viewers that under the Conservative government, the figures of escaped prisoners is “considerably less” than when Labour was in power.

She was later interrupted by Shephard, who said: “Right now I don’t think anyone is going to be concerned whether Labour were able to keep more people in prison or the Conservatives. What people will be concerned about is that a suspected terrorist was able to escape.”

Ben Shephard says MP ‘trying to score political points’ in Wandsworth prisoner hunt

Labour calls for independent inquiry into Wandsworth prison escape

09:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Labour is calling for an independent inquiry into how terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife escaped Wandsworth prison, Yvette Cooper MP has said.

Labour MP raised concerns for understaffing in Wandsworth prison ‘months ago'

09:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Labour MP Rosena Allin-Khan said she “raised concerns many months ago” about staffing levels in Wandsworth prison.

Watch the full clip here:

Investigation must consider ‘collusion’, says ex-security chief

09:12 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Prof Ian Acheson, former head of security at Wandsworth Prison, said the government’s investigation must look at possible “collusion” to help Daniel Khalife escape.

Prof Acheson said staff shortages was “clearly must be a contributory factor” to the major security breach.

“So many breaches occurred at one time to allow this awful event to happen.

He added: “If there is an investigation, I would urge [justice secretary] Alex Chalk to make that an independent investigation so the prison service isn’t marking its own homework. But if there is an investigation, it will have to consider whether there is collusion.”

‘Up to 44 per cent of staff unavailable in Wandsworth prison’, former head of security says

08:36 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A former head of security at Wandsworth Prison said terror suspect Daniel Khalife’s escape was “at best” a “catastrophic system failure”.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday, Professor Ian Acheson said: “Well, at best, this is a catastrophic system failure that actually starts with the allocation of Khalife to Wandsworth and ends with a terror suspect working in a prison kitchen of an establishment in crisis (and) escaping in a vehicle.

“So it’s incredibly embarrassing for the prison service but it’s not entirely surprising given what we know about what’s going on Wandsworth at the moment.”

Professor Acheson, also a former prison governor, criticised the conditions at Wandsworth.

“Well, I’m afraid to say that Wandsworth, like so many of our flagship prisons, is in freefall,” he said.

“You’ve only got to look at the most recent inspections, and other monitoring reports, that reveal it’s filthy, it’s vermin infested, on any day 30-44% of frontline staff are unavailable to work.

“Morale is awful. I mean, frankly, if you cannot even manage to get the bins emptied in a place like Wandsworth what else is going wrong?”

Describing the security around the perimeter of the prison, he said: “The ingress and egress of vehicles into a prison that breach the security perimeter of a prison is a well-known vulnerability. It’s one of the top vulnerabilities you can think of.

“The key thing is, when the van goes back into the airlock, is to make the sure the vehicle is thoroughly searched.”

The professor added any vehicle which exits the prison is normally searched on top and below to ensure no escapees.

What was Khalife wearing when he escaped?

08:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Daniel Abed Khalife was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, red and white chequered trousers and brown, steel toe-cap boots, the Metropolitan Police said, and is slim and 6ft 2in, with short brown hair.

The jail was put on lockdown after he fled.

The head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, Commander Dominic Murphy, said there was “no reason to believe Khalife poses a threat to the wider public” but urged people not to approach him and to call 999 if they spot him.

Recap: Prisoner still missing from HMP Wandsworth

07:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

If you’re just tuning in this morning, here is a recap:

Police are continuing to hunt for a former soldier accused of terrorism who is believed to have escaped from a prison kitchen by clinging to a delivery van.

Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, went missing in his cook’s uniform from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday, prompting extra security checks at major transport hubs.

There are fears the fugitive - who has been missing since 8am on Wednesday - might be attempting to flee the country.

The Sun reported that a source close to the investigation said Khalife used makeshift straps to tie himself to the underside of a grocery van which then drove him out of the prison.

The Times reported there was a delay of around an hour between prison officials noticing he was missing and contacting the police.

Khalife, who was discharged from the Army in May 2023, was awaiting trial after allegedly planting a fake bomb at an RAF base and gathering information that might be useful to terrorists or enemies of the UK.

He has denied the three charges against him.

Investigation into why Khalife was not in Belmarsh underway

07:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

An investigation into why a former soldier accused of terrorism was not held in a prison with the highest security level is “under way”, science secretary Michelle Donelan has said.

Speaking to Times Radio on Thursday, she said that her understanding was that it was not “black and white” whether a terror suspect should be held in a category A prison, such as Belmarsh.

“So it’s my understanding it’s not as black and white about that as that,” she said. “So there is an investigation checking that he was in the correct facility.

“It’s not as black and white, is my understanding, as to what category somebody under arrest for that those types of crimes should be in.”

Asked if Daniel Khalife had not been held in Belmarsh prison because it was full, she said it was “no secret” that prison capacity was an issue.

“In general, it’s no secret that prison capacity has been an issue, one that we are tackling,” she said. “That’s why we’re investing money to upgrade our prison estate and to increase the number of places by 20,000.”

What was Khalife’s role in the military?

07:36 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Daniel Abed Khalife left school in 2018 and joined the Army.

He was stationed at the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Beacon Barracks, home to the Royal Corps of Signals 1st Signal Brigade; the Defence Electronics Agency, the RAF Joint Helicopter Command’s Tactical Supply Wing and No 22 Group air force cadets.

He was in HMP Wandsworth awaiting trial after allegedly planting a fake bomb at an RAF base and gathering information that might be useful to terrorists or enemies of the UK.

Why wasn’t Daniel Abed Khalife at Belmarsh?

07:16 , Namita Singh

Questions are being raised over why Daniel Abed Khalife was being kept in HMP Wandsworth, medium-security prison. With about 1,300 inmates, it is considered as one of the most overcrowded in the UK.

Most UK terror suspects are lodged in category A prison of HMP Belmarsh.

While no one has ever escaped from Belmarsh, Wandsworth has seen six jailbreaks over the years.

“It is difficult to understand why someone facing those charges is at Wandsworth in the first place,” Informer head of security, Ian Acheson told The Times.

“And even then, why he’s in the kitchen, which is a security risk immediately because it involves handling knives.

“Did they do an effective risk assessment?”

Trial date set for November

07:10 , Namita Singh

Daniel Abed Khalife has been accused of a criminal offence relating to the alleged bomb hoax.

It is claimed that the ex-serviceman placed “three cannisters with wires on a desk in his accommodation” with the intention of inducing in another a belief this was “likely to explode or ignite and thereby cause personal injury or damage to property”.

A trial date has been set for 13 November at Woolwich Crown Court.

Rishi Sunak needs to ‘get a grip on justice’ - Shabana Mahmood

06:50 , Namita Singh

Rishi Sunak needs to “get a grip” on the criminal justice system, Labour’s new shadow justice secretary has said.

Shabana Mahmood told broadcasters on Wednesday: “I think the government has very serious questions to answer.

“We know that the criminal justice system after 13 years of Tory government is in a state of disrepair. We know that there are huge problems with prisons and prison places in particular.

“And as we’ve seen, there is now a terror suspect on the loose having escaped from Wandsworth Prison. So big questions for the government to answer. Frankly Rishi Sunak needs to get a grip.”

She added: “We now have a zombie government who are unable to run vast swathes of the public realm, whether that’s our schools or our criminal justice system.”

Labour demand government ‘urgently’ explain Wandsworth escape

06:30 , Namita Singh

Labour demanded that the government “urgently” explains how terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife managed to escape HMP Wandsworth.

Newly-appointed shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “The Conservatives need to urgently explain how they can’t do the basic job of keeping potentially dangerous criminals locked up.

“It’s right that the police are given space to recapture this suspect. But Rishi Sunak needs to ensure there is no wider risk because his zombie government lacks grip on the criminal justice system.”

Prison escapes a rare event in recent years

06:10 , Namita Singh

There have been only five prison escapes since 2017, Home Office data has said, and fewer than 20 since 2010.

A 1994 incident involving IRA prisoners breaking out of Whitemoor prison was the last incident to involve terroism inmates.

Wandsworth Prison, from which Khalife escaped, was put on lockdown in the hours after the event but those restrictions have now been lifted.

An escape was previously reported from Wandsworth in 2019.

Who is Daniel Abed Khalife? Inmate facing terror charges who escaped prison ‘clinging to food truck’

05:50 , Namita Singh

A former soldier turned terror suspect, Daniel Abed Khalife is now the subject of a nationwide manhunt after outwitting the guards at a London prison.

He is believed to have escaped in a chef’s outfit by using straps to cling on to a food delivery van, with his current location unknown.

With airports and ports installing additional security measures and holidaymakers reporting delays at border control, his escape has posed serious questions about the suitability of his incarceration at a Category B prison.

Report:

Who is Daniel Abed Khalife? Inmate who escaped prison ‘clinging to food truck’

Knock-on effect of Daniel Abed Khalife’s escape

05:30 , Namita Singh

The escape of Daniel Abed Khalife from Wandsworth prison had a knock-on effect of disrupting court hearings for other defendants on remand at the south London site.

Yesterday murder-accused Earl Morin-Britton, 36, from Sutton, south London, missed his first appearance at the Old Bailey by video link from Wandsworth prison due to the lockdown.

A prison officer told Judge Alexia Durran that there was “an operational emergency and no movement across the establishment”.

Meanwhile passengers at Manchester Airport have been facing delays of about 30 minutes at security as extra passport checks are carried out, the PA news agency understands.

Delays have been reported at the Port of Dover and Gatwick has also confirmed additional security measures are in place.

Justice secretary speaks with prison governor

05:07 , Namita Singh

Justice secretary Alex Chalk has held an urgent call with the prison governor and senior staff in the prison service to seek assurances about what is being done to ensure the jail is secure.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We are working with the Metropolitan Police to recapture this prisoner and are urgently investigating how he escaped.”

MPCTC requests public to come forward with information on Khalife

04:55 , Namita Singh

Head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, Commander Dominic Murphy, said: “We have a team of officers who are making extensive and urgent inquiries 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 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.”

What are the accusations against Khalife

04:45 , Namita Singh

Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, is accused of eliciting or trying to elicit information that could be useful for a terrorist on 2 August 2021, and breaching the Official Secrets Act by gathering information that could be useful to an enemy between 1 May 2019 and 6 January 2022.

The ex-serviceman, formerly of Beacon Barracks, Beaconside, Stafford, is also accused of a criminal offence relating to the alleged bomb hoax.

It is claimed that he placed “three cannisters with wires on a desk in his accommodation” with the intention of inducing in another a belief this was “likely to explode or ignite and thereby cause personal injury or damage to property”.

A trial date has been set for 13 November at Woolwich Crown Court.

Terror-accused ex-soldier escapes from prison

04:18 , Namita Singh

A former soldier accused of terrorism has escaped jail from a prison kitchen by clinging on to a delivery van.

Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, went missing in his cook’s uniform from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday shortly before 8am, where he was being held awaiting trial for planting a fake bomb and gathering information that might be useful to terrorists or enemies of the UK.

He has denied the three charges against him.

Mr Khalife’s escape sparked a major police hunt with ports and airports placed on alert and some passengers facing delays as extra checks were carried out.

He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, red and white chequered trousers and brown steel-toe-cap boots, the Metropolitan Police said, and is slim and 6ft 2in, with short brown hair.

He made his escape, details of which were first reported in The Sun, while working in the kitchen at the category B prison.

The jail was put on lockdown after he fled.

Wandsworth Prison was ‘chronically understaffed'

01:00 , Holly Evans

The Labour MP for Tooting in south London, which includes Wandsworth Prison, told the BBC that the jail is “chronically understaffed”.

Rosena Allin-Khan’s team said she secured data from the government at the beginning of this year which showed that on one day last December around a third of the shifts that needed covering by prison officers during the day were unfilled.

This was after staff were offered overtime to work extra shifts.

Police helicopters search Kingston

Wednesday 6 September 2023 23:00 , Holly Evans

As the search for Khalife continues into the night, police helicopters have been observed monitoring the Kingston area, the Times reports.

The escaped inmate’s family are known to have had connections in the area.

Several officers have also kept watch on an upstairs flat in Kingston, close to the edge of Richmond Park, where Khalife’s mother and sister are understood to have lived until a few years ago.

Labour has demanded Government “urgently” explain escape

Wednesday 6 September 2023 22:00 , Holly Evans

Labour demanded that the Government “urgently” explains how terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife managed to escape HMP Wandsworth.

Newly-appointed shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “The Conservatives need to urgently explain how they can’t do the basic job of keeping potentially dangerous criminals locked up.

“It’s right that the police are given space to recapture this suspect. But Rishi Sunak needs to ensure there is no wider risk because his zombie Government lacks grip on the criminal justice system.”

Who is Daniel Khalife?

Wednesday 6 September 2023 20:57 , William Mata

Daniel Abed Khalife is a 21-year-old ex serviceman who has escaped from Wandsworth Prison.

He was part of the British Army’s Royal Corps of Signals and was based at Beacon Barracks in Stafford at the time of his arrest in January.

Khalife was charged with terror and explosives offences related to two incidents in Staffordshire.

The first incident was that he allegedly attempted to elicit information “about an individual who was or had been a member of His Majesty’s forces which was of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”. He is accused of committing this act in August 2021.

The second was that he that he left canisters with wires with the intent of "inducing in another the belief the item was likely to explode or ignite". These so-called fake bombs were planted at MOD Stafford on January 2.

Khalife pleaded not guilty to both charges in July before the Old Bailey and is due to stand trial.

However, on Wednesday it was reported that he had escaped from the kitchen area of HMP Wandsworth and gained an exit by hanging on to a food delivery van.

Rishi Sunak needs to ‘get a grip on justice’ - Shabana Mahmood

Wednesday 6 September 2023 20:33 , William Mata

Rishi Sunak needs to “get a grip” on the criminal justice system, Labour’s new shadow justice secretary has said.

Shabana Mahmood told broadcasters on Wednesday: “I think the Government has very serious questions to answer.

“We know that the criminal justice system after 13 years of Tory government is in a state of disrepair. We know that there are huge problems with prisons and prison places in particular.

“And as we’ve seen, there is now a terror suspect on the loose having escaped from Wandsworth Prison. So big questions for the Government to answer. Frankly Rishi Sunak needs to get a grip.”

She added: “We now have a zombie Government who are unable to run vast swathes of the public realm, whether that’s our schools or our criminal justice system.”

Heathrow Airport ‘operating as normal'

Wednesday 6 September 2023 19:51 , William Mata

There were some queues at Heathrow Airport security on Wednesday, but a statement has said it is “operating as normal”.

Ports and airports in the UK have warned of potential delays as they take additional security checks after the disappearance of Daniel Abed Khalife.

Heathrow tweeted: “Heathrow is operating as normal. However, due to additional security checks being carried out, waiting times for departing passengers may be longer than usual.

“Passengers are advised to arrive no earlier than usually recommended and to the check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport.”

Met Counter Terrorism Commander appeal

Wednesday 6 September 2023 19:13 , Holly Evans

Dominic Murphy, the Met’s Counter Terrorism Commander, has made urgent public appeal to find Daniel Abed Khalife.

Passengers at Manchester Airport face delays

Wednesday 6 September 2023 19:02 , Holly Evans

Passengers at Manchester Airport have been facing delays of about 30 minutes at security as extra passport checks are carried out as a result of Daniel Khalife’s escape.

A spokesman for Manchester Airport said: “Our security teams work hard to ensure the safety and security of all at Manchester Airport and carry out important checks set by the UK Government.”

Other airports including Gatwick, Heathrow and Stanstead have also reported delays.

Airports report possible delays due to security checks

Wednesday 6 September 2023 18:45 , William Mata

Extra security checks are in place at airports, which has led to some passengers being delayed.

UK Border Force has set up measures at Glasgow Airport and one passenger to Southampton said a queue took more than one hour, causing him to miss a flight.

Iain tweeted: “Queue didn’t move for an hour. Missed flight to Southampton. Still not through security. ‘Priority security’ not moving either. Additional security checks have been introduced due to an ongoing national incident.”

Met Police says manhunt is UK-wide

Wednesday 6 September 2023 18:26 , Katy Clifton

Khalife has links to north-west England and Kingston in London, but head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, Commander Dominic Murphy, said the manhunt is covering the whole of the UK.

He said: “We have a team of officers who are making extensive and urgent inquiries 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 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.”

Wandsworth is the second most secure category of prison

Wednesday 6 September 2023 18:10 , William Mata

HMP Wandsworth has five wing units leading to a central hub with courtyards and other buildings around the outside.

It is a category B prison, the second highest level of security.

Justice secretary Alex Chalk has held an urgent call with the prison governor and senior staff in the prison service to seek assurances about what is being done to ensure the jail is secure.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We are working with the Metropolitan Police to recapture this prisoner and are urgently investigating how he escaped.”

What we know about Daniel Abed Khalife

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:58 , William Mata

Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, was awaiting trial at HMP Wandsworth when he escaped on Wednesday.

The former soldier is accused of leaving fake bombs at the Beacon Barracks base, otherwise known as MOD Stafford, where he left on January 2 after the alleged hoax. He was arrested on January 26.

As of Wednesday, he was awaiting trial in relation to terrorism and Official Secrets Act offences.

He is 6ft 2ins tall and was last seen wearing a prison-issue chef's uniform of a white t-shirt, red and white chequered trousers and brown steel toe cap boots, having been working in the kitchen.

Police have said he has links to Kingston upon Thames but also the north west of England.

London Gatwick Airport confirms additional security measures

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:48 , William Mata

Additional security measures are in place at all UK airports and ports - including Gatwick.

The London airport has said “safety and security” is its number one concern.

A London Gatwick spokesperson said: “Additional security measures are currently in place at London Gatwick and other UK airports and ports.

“The safety and security of passengers is our number one priority.”

Prison escapes a rare event in recent years

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:46 , William Mata

There have been only five prison escapes since 2017, Home Office data has said, and fewer than 20 since 2010.

A 1994 incident involving IRA prisoners breaking out of Whitemoor prison was the last incident to involve terroism inmates.

Wandsworth Prison, from which Khalife escaped, was put on lockdown in the hours after the event but those restrictions have now been lifted.

An escape was previously reported from Wandsworth in 2019.

Delays to the Port of Dover possible as a result of increased checks

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:36 , William Mata

Enhanced checks are currently being enforced in Dover and other UK ports as a result of the manhunt.

The Port of Dover tweeted to say that these measures could result in delays in getting to the port.

“Our standard travel guidance remains unchanged,” a message read.

Khalife had been discharged from the Army in May says Ministry of Defence

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:32 , William Mata

The Ministry of Defence has said that Khalife was discharged from the Army in May this year.

A spokesperson said the 21-year-old was a “former soldier” and was charged with terrorism and other offences.

The statement added: “As a result of being held on remand for these charges, Daniel Khalife was discharged from the Army on 22 May 2023.”

Trial date had been set for November

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:29 , William Mata

Khalife has been accused of a criminal offence relating to the alleged bomb hoax.

It is claimed that the serviceman placed “three cannisters with wires on a desk in his accommodation” with the intention of inducing in another a belief this was “likely to explode or ignite and thereby cause personal injury or damage to property”.

A trial date has been set for November 13 at Woolwich Crown Court.

Khalife was wearing chef’s uniform during escape

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:17 , Holly Evans

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk is due to speak to the governor of HMP Wandsworth and senior prison bosses after a suspected terrorist soldier went on the run from the jail sparking an urgent police hunt, the PA news agency understands.

The south-west London prison was put on lockdown on Wednesday morning after Daniel Abed Khalife escaped but restrictions have now been lifted.

It is understood the 21-year-old had been working in the kitchen and was wearing a chef’s uniform.

He is thought to have snuck out of the kitchen and clung onto the bottom of a delivery van to make his escape.

Prisoner escaped ‘under a food truck’

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:04 , Holly Evans

Daniel Khalife is believed to have escaped from the Category B prison “under a food truck”.

He is alleged to have used straps to hold on to the bottom as the vehicle exited the prison.

Labour demand Government ‘urgently’ explain Wandsworth escape

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:02 , Holly Evans

Labour demanded that the Government “urgently” explains how terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife managed to escape HMP Wandsworth.

Newly-appointed shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “The Conservatives need to urgently explain how they can’t do the basic job of keeping potentially dangerous criminals locked up.

“It’s right that the police are given space to recapture this suspect. But Rishi Sunak needs to ensure there is no wider risk because his zombie Government lacks grip on the criminal justice system.”

Alert issued to all UK airports and ports

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:00 , Holly Evans

In a new statement, the Met said that an alert had been sent to all UK airports and ports amid reports of longer queues at Border Control.

“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 enforcement agencies, including those at UK ports and borders,” the force said.

Khalife held in prison over alleged bomb hoax at RAF base

Wednesday 6 September 2023 16:55 , Holly Evans

Khalife was being held on remand after allegedly orchestrating a bomb hoax at an RAF base.

It is claimed that he placed “three cannisters with wires on a desk in his accommodation” with the intention of inducing in another a belief this was “likely to explode or ignite and thereby cause personal injury or damage to property”.

He is also accused of eliciting or trying to elicit information that could be useful for a terrorist on August 2 2021, and breaching the Official Secrets Act by gathering information that could be useful to an enemy between May 1 2019 and January 6 2022.

He denied all charges during an appearance at the Old Bailey and is due to face trial on 13 November.

Escape had knock-on effect at the Old Bailey

Wednesday 6 September 2023 16:48 , Holly Evans

The escape from Wandsworth prison had a knock-on effect of disrupting court hearings for other defendants on remand at the south London site.

On Wednesday morning, murder-accused Earl Morin-Britton, 36, from Sutton, south London, missed his first appearance at the Old Bailey by video link from Wandsworth prison due to the lockdown.

Judge Alexia Durran asked a prison officer on a video call to explain the problem.

The officer said: “We have got an operational emergency and no movement across the establishment.

“No bodies are being moved due to the severity of the matter.

“A lot of appearances in court will be delayed.”

Full statement from Met’s Counter Terrorism Command

Wednesday 6 September 2023 16:42 , Holly Evans

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.”

Khalife is ‘most likely’ in London, say police

Wednesday 6 September 2023 16:36 , Holly Evans

The Metropolitan Police have said they believe it is “most likely” that Khalife is in London, although he may have travelled further afield.

He has connections to the Kingston area.

The 21-year-old was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, red and white chequered trousers and brown steel toe cap boots.

Police describe him as being of slim build, with short brown hair and is around 6ft 2ins tall.

Suspected terrorist escaped from HMP Wandsworth

Wednesday 6 September 2023 16:29 , Holly Evans

Daniel Abed Khalife, a suspected terrorist and a British Army soldier, escaped from prison earlier this morning and is at the centre of a major manhunt.

The Metropolitan Police believe that he escaped from HMP Wandsworth at 7.50am.

He was being held at the Category B prison while awaiting trial for charges in relation to terrorism and Official Secrets Act.

Welcome to our live coverage

Wednesday 6 September 2023 16:22 , Holly Evans

Welcome to our live coverage of this breaking news story.

We’ll be bringing you updates as police launch a major manhunt for suspected terrorist Daniel Khalife, who escaped from HMP Wandsworth this morning.

Khalife had been discharged from the British Army

Wednesday 6 September 2023 21:57 , Holly Evans

The Ministry of Defence has said that Khalife was discharged from the Army in May this year.

A spokesperson said the 21-year-old was a “former soldier” and was charged with terrorism and other offences.

The statement added: “As a result of being held on remand for these charges, Daniel Khalife was discharged from the Army on 22 May 2023.”

Port of Dover experience ‘some delays’ due to heightened security

Wednesday 6 September 2023 21:55 , Holly Evans

Delays have been reported at the Port of Dover as enhanced checks are carried out after a suspected terrorist former soldier went on the run from prison, sparking an urgent police hunt.

Port of Dover Travel posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: “Due to a police matter, there are currently enhanced checks on outbound traffic at the Port of Dover and other portals within the UK.

“Please be advised this is currently resulting in some delays at the port.

“However, our standard travel guidance remains unchanged and we will keep passengers updated if they can expect any alteration to their journey.”

Escape had knock-on effect at the Old Bailey

Wednesday 6 September 2023 21:50 , Holly Evans

The escape from Wandsworth prison impacted court hearings for other defendants on remand at the Old Bailey

On Wednesday morning, murder-accused Earl Morin-Britton, 36, from Sutton, south London, missed his first appearance at the Old Bailey by video link from Wandsworth prison due to the lockdown.

Judge Alexia Durran asked a prison officer on a video call to explain the problem.

The officer said: “We have got an operational emergency and no movement across the establishment.

“No bodies are being moved due to the severity of the matter.

“A lot of appearances in court will be delayed.”