The 44-year-old was held on an Iberia plane at Madrid Airport during a scheduled stop en route to his North African homeland. The little girl, whom the father lost in a custody battle, was rescued and handed over to local social services so she could be returned to the UK. The detainee’s whereabouts today was not clear but it is thought UK authorities have prepared a European Arrest Warrant so the suspect can appear before judges in Madrid in an extradition hearing and be flown back to Britain to face trial.

Spanish police said he had lost custody of his daughter in circumstances that were not fully explained in a statement on the arrest.

A Spanish National Police spokesman said: “Spanish National Police officers have arrested an Algerian who had allegedly snatched his two-year-old daughter from a children’s home in Nottingham in the UK.

“The father had lost custody of his child but turned up at the centre and took her by force after allegedly threatening staff with a firearm and tying them up.

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“He was held inside a plane which was heading to Oran in Algeria when it made a stopover in Madrid.”

The spokesman added: “The plane was just about to take off when he was arrested. The little girl was in good health and was handed over to social services so they could look after her until she could be returned to the UK.”

The arrest happened last Thursday, the same day as the abduction, although Spanish police only went public with news of the detention today.

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