British Airways worker allegedly volunteered to cover strikes as he developed bomb plot

A British Airways (BA) worker who volunteered to cover potential cabin crew strikes has appeared in court charged with plotting a suicide bombing.

Rajib Karim, an IT developer at BA's Newcastle office, faced three charges under the counter-terrorism legislation.

Colin Gibbs, the prosecutor in the case, alleged Karim had shared information about his work – including security measures – and offered to take advantage of Unite union's planned strike to join the airline's cabin crew.

He is said to have deliberately stayed in the UK, obtaining a passport and getting a job at the airline to further the conspiracy, the Guardian has reported.

Unite is yet to announce the date of its planned strike action, but BA has raised 1,000 volunteers to help break any strikes should they be called.