Man Charged Over Alleged Bomb Hoax

26 September 2013, 19:17 | Updated: 26 September 2013, 19:26

A man has been charged in connection with an alleged bomb hoax which caused a plane to divert from Heathrow to Stanstead Airport.

49-year-old Alan Patey, of no fixed address, has been charged with making a bomb hoax.

A 57-year-old man who was also arrested after the plane was forced to land at Stansted Airport remains on police bail until tomorrow.

The Sri Lankan Airlines A330 Airbus, which was carrying 267 passengers and crew, was due to land at Heathrow Airport but was diverted to Stansted just after 7.30pm on Friday.

Sources said the drama unfolded after a passenger was overheard claiming "something" was on board the flight in the luggage hold.