Daniel Khalife CAUGHT by police four days after 'terrorist' escaped from HMP Wandsworth sparking huge manhunt | The Sun
ESCAPED terror suspect Daniel Khalife has been captured by police after four days on the run.
The 21-year-old fled HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday morning after hiding under a food delivery van.
A huge manhunt was launched for Khalife with security checks taking place at UK airports and ports.
Police today confirmed the former soldier has been caught in west London.
Scotland Yard said in a statement: "Metropolitan Police officers have arrested Daniel Khalife, who escaped from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday 6 September.
"Officers apprehended him just before 11am today, in the Chiswick area, and he is currently in police custody.
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"We would like to thank the public and media for their support throughout our investigation to locate Khalife and we will provide a further update on his arrest in due course."
Rishi Sunak said he was "very pleased" Khalife had been arrested, as he praised efforts by the police and the public in finding him.
Speaking to broadcasters at the G20 summit venue in New Delhi, the prime minister said: "I'm very pleased with the news and my thanks to the police officers for their fantastic work over the past couple of days, but also to the public who came forward with an enormous number of leads to help the police in their inquiries.
"It's good news that we captured the person concerned.
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"As people already know, the justice secretary has initiated an inquiry into the circumstances of his escape and that work will continue.
"And this is obviously very welcome news. And again, my thanks to the police but also to the public for their help."
Khalife hid under the food delivery truck to make his escape while working in the prison kitchen on Wednesday morning.
He fled in a chef's uniform of a white T-shirt, red and white chequered trousers and brown steel toecap boots.
Did YOU see Daniel Khalife get arrested? Email [email protected] or call 07423 720250
The terror suspect thought to have used makeshift straps to attach himself to the truck as it was waved out of the notorious lock-up.
The Met Police had offered a £20,000 reward for information.
The force also revealed they were investigating a sighting of Khalife shortly after he escaped the prison.
A member of the public saw a man resembling the terror suspect walking away from the BidFood delivery van as it stopped near the Wandsworth roundabout, at the top of Trinity Road.
This man was then seen walking towards Wandsworth town centre.
Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met's counter terrorism command, said the "confirmed" sighting could be "very significant".
He also urged Khalife to hand himself in as he personally addressed the former soldier.
The commander said: "My message to him is to hand yourself in, either call us or go to a local police station and hand yourself in.
"With the reward we are offering today and the amazing support we have had from the public and the media, we will be closing in on you, Daniel, you really need to come in and give yourself up."
The ex-soldier, who is accused of planting fake bombs at a UK military base, had reportedly tried to make a previous bid for freedom.
Despite this, Khalife managed to still secure a cushy job in the kitchen.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk revealed a probe will be launched into the prison as he made a speech in the House of Commons.
An additional independent investigation will also take place in the future.
Khalife, who was attached to the Royal Signal Corps before being discharged, is accused of leaving fake bombs at an RAF base in January.
He vanished for more than three weeks after the bomb hoax before being arrested on January 26.
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Another charge, under the Official Secrets Act, alleges Khalife collected personal information about soldiers from an MoD computer system that could be useful to an enemy.
He was being held on remand at Wandsworth prison and was due to stand trial on November 20.
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