The Israeli security service Shin Bet has uncovered an alleged plot by two Palestinian employees of the UK consulate in Jerusalem to sell weapons to terrorists.

The pair, named by the British Foreign Office as Mohammed Hamadeh and Bilal Bakhatan, have been charged along with another man with illegally selling arms.

The Israeli authorities said they believed the weapons were for use by two Hamas members from east Jerusalem who have been indicted on suspicion of planning to launch a missile at a Jerusalem football stadium.

A Shin Bet spokesman said it was believed that Moussa Hamada and Bassam Omri have been planning the attack on Beitar Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium for two years. They have now been charged with planning an attack, using weapons illegally and of being members of a terrorist organisation.

A spokesman said the consulate regularly reviews the process for hiring staff.