Muhammad Ali Mumtaz Ahmad, 24, of Blackburn pleaded not guilty during a brief appearance in Westminster Magistrates Court in London, the BBC reported. He spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea.

Ahmad, who works at a branch of the large pharmacy chain Boots, ordered to jail without bail. He was formally charged with possession of an article that could be used to carry out or instigate terrorism.

Four people have been charged in the alleged plot to kill Brown and his predecessor, Tony Blair. Two were arrested at Manchester Airport as they attempted to board a flight to Finland.

A fifth man, picked up in Derby, was being questioned by police.