Unanswered questions

As details emerge about the suicide bomber Richard Reid, some key questions remain unanswered:

· How did French airport officials miss the bombs in his shoes despite lengthy questioning that forced him to miss his first flight?

· Why did European intelligence agencies not trace his movements this year despite proven links with known Islamic extremists?

· Why did British officials in Brussels issue a new passport without question despite pages being torn from Reid's old document?

· Was there an unknown accomplice travelling with Reid on Flight 63 who has so far escaped detection?

· Who was providing the large sums of ready cash that Reid used to buy air tickets and pay hotel bills despite having no discernible income?

· Did he stay in an as yet unknown safe house in Paris in the days before taking the flight?

This article appeared in the Observer on Sunday December 30 2001 . It was last updated at 00:40 on December 30 2001.