Al-Qaida suspect 'hopes to become a priest'

British anti-terrorist police are continuing to question a suspected al-Qaida operative who is a devout Muslim and is hoping to become a priest.

Sajid Badat, 24, was detained in Gloucester, UK, on Thursday and has now been taken to London.

Badat, who had recently been to Pakistan, is being questioned about explosives that were found at his home. Searches are continuing at his house.

Scotland Yard has refused to comment on reports that a suicide attack on a football ground had been foiled.

A spokesman also refused to comment on reports that Badat, who is a Briton of Asian descent, had links to shoebomber Richard Reid, who tried to blow up an American Airlines Paris to Miami jet carrying 197 passengers in December 2001.