Another terror suspect on a control order has absconded, Home Secretary John Reid has revealed.
The suspect was the third to vanish while under the controversial orders, which impose a loose form of house arrest on those suspected of involvement with international terrorism.
The individual absconded earlier this month after being served with the control order, Mr Reid said in a written statement to MPs.
The disclosure is a further blow to the Government's anti-terror policy and an embarrassment for Mr Reid, who is already under intense pressure over other failings in his department.
He told MPs the Government did not intend to seek to overturn an anonymity order on the individual. Tories immediately called for the absconder to be named.
Mr Reid said: "The control order was designed to address the risk posed by an individual who had recently been radicalised and wanted to travel abroad for terrorism-related purposes.
"Obligations included a requirement to report daily to a police station, to surrender travel documents and to reside at a specified address. The individual is not believed to represent a direct threat to the public in the UK at this time."
He added: "Public safety is the top priority for the Government and the police. Locating the individual is an operational matter for the police. Investigations are ongoing. An anonymity order is in place and, after consulting the police, the Government is currently not seeking to overturn it."
Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "Far from getting a grip since John Reid took over, the Home Office has been marked by murderers walking out of open prisons and suspected terrorists escaping from control orders. If there is sufficient suspicion that this man is involved in terrorist activities to restrain his activities, there is sufficient suspicion to name him in the interests of protecting the public."
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We have always made clear that control orders were introduced as a next best alternative for dealing with suspected terrorists. We have sought stronger controls to deal with suspected terrorists who cannot be prosecuted, but have been prevented by Parliament and the courts."
