Yvonne Ridley, the Sunday Express journalist being held in Afghanistan, has been accused of being a member of the SAS by her Taliban captors.

The Taliban information minister said last night: "Surely her crime is high. She must have had ill intentions while America and Britain talk of having their special forces in Afghanistan. She could be one of those special forces."

The Foreign Office has passed on proof of her employment credentials, and expressed the wish that the Taliban "resolve the situation as soon as possible."

Latest reports say the Taliban may put her on trial for violating the laws of the country - a story confirmed this morning.