U.K. terror suspect Daniel Khalife still on the run as police narrow search
CBSMAR 28 2023
Former UK Soldier Daniel Khalife Pleads Guilty to Escaping From Prison
Above: An escorted armoured police van arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court ahead of an appearance by former soldier Daniel Khalife on September 11, 2023 in London, England. Image copyright: Leon Neal/ Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
While the British prison system does have its flaws, it's crucial to understand this escape from HMP Wandsworth in the context of Khalife's military training. He wasn't a usual prisoner, but rather a former Signals soldier charged as a potential spy for Iran.
Narrative B
Despite his military training, Khalife's escape was no exception. Wandsworth is a poorly-managed prison that has long been understaffed and underfunded — it is a place where miscounts and confusion are evidently commonplace. It's inconceivable that a terrorism suspect was allowed to work in the kitchen, enabling him to escape underneath a departing vehicle.