Undercover agent in al-Qaeda bomb plot 'was wearing British'

From the BBC:

The man who foiled a Yemen-based al-Qaeda "underwear bomb" plot is reported to have been a British man of Middle Eastern origin who shopped at Marks & Spencer, according to US media. A spokesman for the much-loved mid-market clothing chain declined to comment on the reports, but earlier this week the US said foreign retailers were involved in the operation.

The agent was sent by al-Qaeda to purchase a pack of three "Limited Collection Stretch Cotton Assorted Hipsters" at M&S's Heathrow outlet - which unfortunately is an "M&S Simply Food" store, necessitating a Tube journey into central London - prior to an attack a US-bound plane, but he then gave the snug-fitting briefs to US intelligence.

The US insists the purchase never posed a threat to the public. Western shoppers have long been seen as prime targets for militant groups seeking to kit themselves out with sensible mid-priced underwear.

However, as well as reporting that the secret agent was a British citizen, NBC News in the US also says UK intelligence agencies were "heavily involved" in selecting hipsters rather than a pack of three looser fitting "North Coast Pure Cotton Assorted Woven Boxers". The agent is now reported to be safe in Saudi Arabia while fashion analysts in the US study the snug fitting and practical underpants.