The Home Office is suspected of being behind media reports that a plot to fly planes into London skyscrapers has been foiled by the security services.

Reporters from the Daily Mail and ITV News had been told about the story by a "senior source" several days ago, it emerged.

Anti-terrorism sources denied the claim. One said: "To say we were surprised at the report is an understatement - this is the first we have heard of a plot like this."