He reportedly sent emails containing links to download operational manuals on how to execute terror 'attacks and guerilla techniques'.

Yesterday (Saturday) The university confirmed it had 'immediately' alerted Thames Valley Police when senior staff learned of the man’s background earlier this month, and an internal investigation has been ordered.

It's not known what job he has at the university, or whether he was in a position to seek to influence students should he have chosen to do so.

It is also not clear how long the man, who is believed to be in his mid-30s, has been employed by the university or has lived in the UK.

Reports in Italy at the time of his March 2012 arrest said he had been detained in the Marche region in the east of the country.