My son is innocent, says father of suspect

The father of a terror suspect facing extradition to the US has defended his "totally innocent" son - who he says is so lawabiding he had never even had a parking ticket.

Retired civil servant Ashfaq Ahmad, 69, ridiculed the charges against his son Babar, 30, from Tooting, who was arrested last week on a warrant issued on behalf of the US authorities.

He is accused of offences including helping to raise funds for Taliban fighters in Afghanistan and running "pro-jihad" websites.

Bow Street magistrates also heard the Briton had email links to a Chechen rebel leader, and had been found in possession of plans for a US Navy battle group in the Gulf. These have been verified as genuine and include comments on the ships' vulnerability to terrorist attacks.

Babar Ahmad's father told a press conference: "Do you really believe that a young lad from a place like Tooting could possibly be planning an attack against an aircraft carrier of the navy of the world superpower?"