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A man photographed dressed as a “suicide bomber” on the Tube has claimed he was actually in fancy dress as a soldier.

Pedro Fonseca wore a camouflaged outfit on Monday evening as he reportedly made his way to a soldiers and princesses themed party.

The 29-year-old was accompanied on the District Line from Putney Bridge by a group of friends who were dressed as fake police officers.

A photograph of the group was uploaded on to Twitter by Tube passenger Alec Wilson, who said the man wearing the army-style outfit had a “bag with a ‘detonation’ cord placed on his front.

The outfit sparked panic among commuters and the costume was later branded “insensitive and crass” in light of terror attacks across the world.

But Mr Fonseca said he was not dressed as a suicide bomber and the bag on his chest was to keep his valuables close to his body.

He told the MailOnline: “It wasn't a fake bomb I was wearing around my chest, it was a small bag I was using to keep my wallet and phone in so I had easy access to them.

'I didn't want to put them in the backpack, where I wouldn't be able to see them or get to them easily.”

Mr Fonseca added he and his friends did not experience any problems while on their journey.

He said: “'London is a big city so if there had been a problem, I'm sure that the police would have been on us straight away.”

In a statement, British Transport Police said officers were aware of the incident but it was not reported by any passengers on the train.

A BTP spokeswoman added: “It is insensitive and crass behaviour in the light of recent terrorist attacks across the world and the threat to the UK currently at severe.

“It is important for everyone to remember the need to be responsible and considerate to fellow passengers while making your journey.

“We would always encourage anyone to report anything they think is suspicious or which makes them uncomfortable to us, to allow us to establish if any further action is needed.”