For a chain, Gaucho is startlingly expensive, the final bill ending up pretty close to one from much more stylish, individual restaurants
Boris Johnson's deputy faces damaging new allegations that he misled the public by claiming to be a magistrate
More...
Revealed: Afghan plane hijacker is now working as a cleaner at Heathrow
Last updated at 15:07pm on 17.05.08
Afghan hijacker Nazamuddin Mohammidy
Police arrested Nazamuddin Mohammidy at Terminal 5 where he showed his British Airways pass allowing him access to secure areas.
The Tories said it was a breathtaking breach of security and demanded immediate action from the Government.
Mohammidy, 34, was one of nine Afghans who won the right to live in Britain after hijacking a passenger flight in Afghanistan in 2000. The Boeing 727 was flown to Stansted in Essex where the captors threatened to kill the 160 passengers unless they were granted asylum.
The gang was jailed but later released and given the right to remain in Britain rent-free, receiving £150,000 a year in benefits.
It emerged police pulled over Mohammidy as he was driving round Terminal 5 because they thought he was an unlicensed cab driver. He told them he worked at the airport and they were stunned when they checked out his story and found he was a former hijacker.
Scroll down for more ...
Mohammidy hijacked this internal Afghan flight and landed it at Stansted airport in 2000. He was escorted off the plane after a 4-day siege
Mohammidy works for a contractor used by British Airways to clean its offices and training centre at Heathrow.
The airline insisted he did not have an "airside" pass which would let him near planes, but his BA credentials did grant him access to restricted areas, it is understood.
One of the armed hijackers, faced covered with a balaclava, patrols the tarmac at Stansted in 2000
Yesterday Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: "It is clear the Government do not have a grip on airport security.
"This individual should patently not be permitted access to secure locations at our airports, and immediate checks must be made on all other employees."
Tory aviation-spokesman Julian Brazier has written to Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick describing the breach as "beyond parody."
After police pulled in Mohammidy at Terminal 5, they also discovered he was in breach of bail conditions over an assault charge.
He is accused of beating up a former landlord and is due before magistrates on Monday.
Earlier this week Mohammidy, who has been living in Hounslow, West London, appeared in court over the bail breach but magistrates in Uxbridge bailed him again.
Scotland Yard confirmed the incident in which he was stopped at Heathrow.
A spokesman said: "In December 2007 officers stopped and searched a man under section 44 of the Terrorism Act at Terminal 5. Inquiries revealed he was in breach of bail."
British Airways said in a statement: "We have been helping the police with their inquiries into a man who is employed by our cleaning contractors. He does not work at the airport and does not hold an airside pass. He works at one of our properties about a mile away."
Reader views (22)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
First I couldn't quite believe this armed hijacker who took a plane and landed in the UK was rewarded with Citizenship, but then to also read this guy is working at one four airports is crazy.
This is just plain wrong. I blame those human rights people for this and the people of this country for allowing them to dictate how we run our country. Of course the government is a major culprit of this.
I'm really considering leaving this country. Not just for this story, but for many things that are going on. I really don't think I like living here now.
- Rob, Camden, London
This country really is becoming a joke. In any other country they would've been tricked into landing the plane and then either shot or put in jail, in ours we obviously decide to let them receive benefits and live in our country. £150,000 in benefits? That's more than I earn and I'm in the Royal Navy.
Someone needs to get a grip on this country but somehow I don't think it'll happen before it's far too late.
- Jonathan, London, England
There is something wrong when an unelected body, no I am not talking about the Generals in Burma, but the judiciary in England can over rule the wishes of the people as expressed through their elected representatives. All these in self appointed authority enjoy the highest (some armed police) protection. While those wrong doers they free are allowed to terrorise the public.
- John Baylor, Minden, Germany
13°c
17°c
