No 10: 'Explosive Device' May Have Downed Plane

A Russian jet that crashed in Egypt "may well have been brought down by an explosive device", Downing Street has said.

The Metrojet plane, which was travelling from Sharm el Sheikh to the Russian city of St Petersburg, crashed in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on Saturday, killing all 224 people on board.

The nature of the crash and the lack of an SOS have led to speculation that the jet was brought down by a bomb or a missile.

:: Egypt Plane Crash: What We Know So Far

The UK Government said in a statement that while it cannot "categorically" be said why the plane crashed, "as more information has come to light we have become concerned that the plane may well have been brought down by an explosive device".

As a result, a spokeswoman said all flights due to leave Sharm el Sheikh for Britain this evening will be delayed as a "precautionary measure" to allow a team of UK experts to assess what security arrangements are in place at the airport.

:: Live Updates: Latest On Egypt Plane Crash

It is believed up to 20,000 Britons are in the Sharm el Sheikh area - hundreds are affected by the delays.

A security source has told Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall that the intelligence that prompted the Government to take this decision was not based on the wreckage of the plane.

It came on the day a source close to the Egyptian team investigating the black boxes said an explosion was looking more likely, but it is unclear whether it was linked to fuel, engine trouble or a bomb.

A Russian aviation source told the news agency two possibilities are now being considered - something stowed inside the jet and a technical fault.

Egypt's Aviation Ministry has confirmed the cockpit voice recorder from the plane is "partially damaged" and "a lot of work is required in order to extract data from it".

Islamic State again claimed responsibility for downing the plane on Wednesday, saying it would eventually tell the world how it carried out the attack.

David Cameron chaired a meeting of the Government's COBRA emergency committee on Wednesday evening to review the situation in Sharm el Sheikh, having already spoken to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi, who is in London on a previously scheduled visit.

The security assessment at the airport is expected to be completed tonight, the Number 10 spokeswoman said, adding there were no more departures from the UK to Sharm el Sheikh on Wednesday and that they are working closely with airlines.

Among the Britons affected by the delays is tourist Mark Herbert, whose Thomson flight was about to take off from Sharm to Manchester when the captain said everyone had to get off the plane.

He told Sky News security at the airport was "stricter" than on previous trips, and added: "It's inconvenient but I'd rather be safe."

A Thomson flight to Manchester was set to take off at 6.35pm local time, according to the airport's website.

Two easyJet flights were also due to depart the resort's airport, one to Luton at 6.45pm another to Gatwick at 7.05pm.

Around 330 easyJet passengers are affected, and they are being put up in local hotels.

Ireland's aviation authority has told airlines not to operate to or from Sharm or over the Sinai Peninsula until further notice.

Anyone in Sharm or planning a holiday there soon is being urged to contact airlines or tour operators.

The deputy head of the airport has said Britain has acted too hastily in deciding to suspend flights.

Hany Ramsay said: "Other countries might soon follow them. They want to hurt tourism and cause confusion."