The M20 motorway in Kent is being temporarily closed between Junctions 8 and 9 due to enhanced port security checks causing delays.

The closure comes as police continue to search for Daniel Abed Khalife, a former soldier accused of terrorism.

Khalife, 21, went missing from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday while wearing a cook's uniform.

Reports suggest that Khalife escaped from a prison kitchen by clinging to a delivery van and there are concerns that he may attempt to flee the country.

This closure is to allow freight bound for the continent to queue on the motorway and minimize disruption to Kent's wider road network.

All EU-bound freight must use the M20, while other traffic must follow signed diversions.

Kent Police has said that the closure of the M20 motorway is a necessary measure to prevent any potential disruption to the wider road network in Kent.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Simon Alland of Kent Police said: “The closure of the M20 is an emergency measure that is only used following consultation with our partners in the Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) and after a thorough assessment of issues including public safety and traffic volumes.

“The KRF will continue to monitor the situation closely in order to restore the motorway to its full capacity as soon as possible.”

People traveling in Kent are advised to check for the latest traffic and travel updates to plan ahead.

Khalife had been discharged from the Army in May 2023 and was awaiting trial for allegedly planting a fake bomb at an RAF base and gathering information useful to terrorists or enemies of the UK.

Khalife has denied all three charges against him.

Described as 6ft 2in tall and slim, Khalife was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, red and white chequered trousers, and brown steel toe-cap boots.

While the head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, Commander Dominic Murphy, has stated that there is no reason to believe Khalife poses a threat to the wider public, he has urged people not to approach him and to call 999 if they spot him.

Khalife had been held at Belmarsh prison before being transferred to Wandsworth.

The search for him extends throughout the UK, as he has connections to north-west England and Kingston in London.

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: “The M20 coastbound carriageway between Junctions 8 and 9 is being temporarily closed due to delays caused by enhanced port security checks.

“The closure will allow freight bound for the continent to queue on the empty section of motorway in order to keep any disruption to Kent’s wider road network to a minimum.

“All EU-bound freight must use the M20 whilst all other traffic must follow the signed diversions.

“For the latest traffic and travel updates in Kent including advice on planning ahead and preparing your vehicle, visit: Check before you travel – Kent County Council “For further details about the Kent Resilience Forum visit the Kent Prepared website: https://www.kentprepared.org.uk/”