Due to a “potential security threat”, an aircraft flying from Nairobi to Heathrow was intercepted by RAF fighters and diverted to Stansted Airport.

The Kenya Airways Boeing 787 “landed safely with Essex Police present”, according to a London Stansted spokeswoman.

The aircraft was escorted to a remote parking stand, where normal flight operations have now resumed.

Stansted was the plane’s final destination just before 15:45 BST, but Essex Police have said the incident has now been ‘stand-down’.

The plane was handed back to the airport after officers determined there was nothing to concern them.

According to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson, RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft were launched this afternoon as a precaution to investigate a civilian aircraft approaching the country.

Civilian aircraft were in contact with air traffic controllers throughout the incident, and were escorted to Stansted Airport where they landed safely. Civilian authorities are now handling this incident.”

A Nairobi-Heathrow flight was diverted to Stansted this afternoon. The airport remains open, according to Essex Police.

In order to ensure the safety and security of our crew and passengers on board, all safety and security precautions were taken.”

The CEO of Kenya Airways said: “There was suspicion about some passengers on board, but it wasn’t related to bombs or anything like that.