American Airlines shoe-bomber Richard Reid has ‘tactical regrets’

More than 13 years after his failed attempt to blow up a plane with explosives hidden in his shoes, Richard Reid told US researchers he believes his actions were permissible under Islamic law, according to newly-released correspondence.

Reid, who is serving a life sentence in a federal prison in Colorado because of the attack, was foiled in his 2001 bid to blow up an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami when passengers and crew overpowered him as he tried to ignite explosives in his shoes.

Reid said he now has only “tactical regrets”.