Edward Snowden 'banned from flying to UK'
Mr Snowden has admitted being the source of the leak
The
UK government has warned airlines not to allow an ex-CIA employee who
leaked secret US surveillance details to fly to the UK, according to
reports.
The Associated Press news agency reported seeing a document at a Thai airport telling carriers to stop Edward Snowden, 29, boarding any flights.
The travel alert - reported to feature a Home Office letterhead - said Mr Snowden "is highly likely to be refused entry to the UK".
The Home Office would not comment.
According to AP, the alert was issued on Monday by the Home Office's risk and liaison overseas network.
The document had a photograph of Snowden and gave his date of birth and passport number, the news agency reported.
It said: "If this individual attempts to travel to the UK: Carriers should deny boarding."
It went on to warn airlines they may "be liable to costs relating to the individual's detention and removal'' should they allow him to travel.
According to the Home Office's website, a charge for such a situation would be £2,000.
Bangkok Airways, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines confirmed they had received the notice, which was not supposed to be seen by the public, AP reported.
Mr Snowden was last seen in Hong Kong, where he travelled ahead of the Guardian newspaper's story which revealed the extent of the National Security Agency's (NSA) programme to seize data from US internet and telephone firms. There is no suggestion that he has any intention of trying to travel to the UK.
Mr Snowden's actions have divided opinion in the US, with some calling him a hero and others calling for him to be tried for treason.
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