Syria border Brit the son of councillor

One of the nine Britons detained in Turkey for allegedly trying to cross the border into Syria is the son of a Labour councillor.

Shakil Ahmed, who represents the Kingsway ward on Rochdale Council, said he wants his son Waheed to come home "as soon as possible, so I can find out what's going on".

The group of five adults and four children, who are related, are being returned to the UK after they were stopped in Hatay province on Wednesday.

Greater Manchester Police said officers were trying to establish their reason for travelling to the Syrian border.

Mr Ahmed said among those detained were Waheed's aunt, Zadia Bi, two of Zadia's sons and one of the son's wives.

He said in a statement he thought his son was on a work placement in Birmingham.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett said: "What is obviously concerning is why a family were seemingly attempting to take very young and vulnerable children into a war zone. Such a volatile and dangerous environment is no place for them whatsoever."

Mr Ahmed said: "I was shocked, worried and extremely upset to hear that my son has been arrested on the Turkey/Syria border. It's a total mystery to me why he's there, as I was under the impression he was on a work placement in Birmingham.”