POLICE have met security experts at MI5 over plans for the son of assassinated Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto to return to Oxford.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 19, took over as the leader of the opposition Pakistan People's Party after his mother was killed in Rawalpindi last week.

The teenager is expected to return to Christ Church, Oxford, later this week.

Police spokesman Rachel McQuilliam said security arrangements had been in place since the teenager moved to Oxford to begin his history course in September.

Benazir Bhutto studied at Lady Margaret Hall, while her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhuttook, also went to Christ Church.

Specialist officers are speaking to government security agents at the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), on whether to step up protection. Ms McQuilliam described security provided by Thames Valley Police as "suitable", but refused to discuss the current level of threat perceived against the student.

His grandfather was executed in 1979 and two of his uncles were also killed in suspicious circumstances.

Mrs McQuilliam said: "Thames Valley Police has had suitable security plans in place since Bilawal Zardari began his studies at Oxford University.

"A threat level is decided, and can change, according to the environment in which the protected person is at any time and also the capability of any group to carry out an attack.

"Therefore, in light of developments in recent days, the force is liaising with national security services in order to review the arrangements if and where necessary."

The threat level will constantly be reviewed, but it emerged police have yet to meet the student's family or representatives.

Funding for his security is being paid from a special police fund set aside for the safety of protected people.

Money may be paid back from the Home Office at a later date, Ms McQuilliam said.

However, police said they could not release the cost of policing for operational reasons.

The JTAC, a counter-terrorism body comprising specialists from police and Government security services, reviews terrorism around the globe and sets danger levels and warns of threats being made.

A spokesman for the Home Office said it would not comment on operational security.

A university spokesman said it was in discussions with police.

She added: "We take security of all our students, including the high-profile ones, extremely seriously."

The university has experience of dealing with high-profile students, including Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former US president Bill Clinton, and Tony Blair's son Nicky.