Some of the 79 Afghan asylum seekers from the Stansted airport hijack could learn on Monday whether they can stay in the UK.

Home Secretary Jack Straw is expected to begin delivering verdicts following the end of a five-day grace period which was allowed after the lodging of the applications.

The claims by the former passengers from the Ariana jet allege that they face persecution if they are returned to Afghanistan.

Mr Straw has come under fire after he told the House of Commons immediately after the end of the siege that he wanted to see "all" the passengers out of the country as soon as possible.

Legal challenges

He is personally taking charge of making decisions on the cases, and will almost certainly face legal challenges if he rejects any applications.

Anyone turned down for asylum will have seven days to lodge an appeal, which will be heard by an independent adjudicator within 14 days.

But challenges are likely to be brought through the courts as well.

Human rights and refugee groups have warned Mr Straw to consider each case on its merits and not pre-judge the outcomes.

A total of 14 people have appeared in court at Southend, Essex, charged with hijacking the plane.

Seventy other passengers flew home to Afghanistan last week.

All the asylum seekers, who include two dozen children, are staying at an immigration detention centre near London's Gatwick airport after being moved from a fire service college in Gloucestershire over the weekend.