Freed pilot linked to new plot

The Algerian-born pilot freed on bail in London last month - after spending five months in jail on suspicion of training the pilots involved in the 11 September attack - is now part of a terrorism investigation by Italian police, it emerged today.

Detectives in Rome are examining possible links between Lotfi Raissi, 27, from Colnbrook, Slough, and six men arrested in Italy at the weekend who police suspect are linked to the al Qaeda network.

A scrap of paper found in one of the suspect's houses had an address that was used by one of the 11 September suicide pilots, and which was allegedly also used by Raissi.

He was freed on bail after being held for five months in Belmarsh high-security prison pending extradition on minor charges of falsifying applications for a pilot's licence and other documents. Raissi, who has always maintained his innocence, is still facing extradition by the US authorities, who continue to consider him a suspect.