Questions were being asked about former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet's movements today after his plane took off from RAF Brize Norton at 5am.

Home Secretary Jack Straw announced the controversial 84-year-old would not be extradited to Spain and was being released from house arrest after 16 months - but not until 8am.

However, an RAF spokesman confirmed the Chilean plane - which has been waiting at the Oxfordshire base since January - took off three hours earlier.

Now Mr Straw, who has a home a few miles from the air base, near Witney, may face tough questions over whether General Pinochet had already left by the time of the announcement.

Story date: Thursday 02 March

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