Probe into airport security breach

[Trevortt]

Immigration Minister Liam Byrne has ordered an immediate investigation into a security breach at Leeds-Bradford International Airport.

The Telegraph & Argus can reveal that passengers arriving on an international flight were allowed through Passport Control unchecked after a mix-up among airport officials.

Desperate attempts were made to "round up" the passengers in the baggage hall, but it is feared that about five people had already collected their luggage and left by the time the error was uncovered.

It is believed that the confusion began when Airside Operations gave clearance for a Ryanair flight from Dublin to park at stand eight.

Staff at Servisair, Ryanair's handling agent, were then told to bring the newly-arrived passengers through the International Arrivals gate, a source has revealed.

But the arrival from Dublin coincided with a delayed Brussels flight, leading to passengers arriving from the continent being mixed in with passengers flying in from Ireland.t is understood that Home Office staff were not manning Passport Control at the time because they had been told it was only the Dublin passengers coming through.

An airport spokesman said: "Steps were taken immediately to recover passengers from Brussels for immigration checks, and procedures have been put in place to make sure that a similar situation does not happen again."

Following the incident on October 24, airport officials were told to ensure that, in future, passengers arriving from Dublin always used the designated entry into the terminal, Gate 51.

Mr Bryne flew into Leeds-Bradford International Airport and into a storm surrounding the breach yesterday as he unveiled tightened security arrangements at the airport.

He told the Telegraph & Argus that an investigation would be carried out internally by the Immigration and Borders Agency into the security breach. He said he has asked for the findings to be reported directly to him.

He said: "I heard about it and have ordered an investigation into exactly what happened.

"I think the individuals were found and I was told they were all clean and their paperwork in order.

"It's a good example of how agencies at airports need to work even closer together and that proposals for a single border force are so important."

He went on to say that more changes were in line for borders and immigrations over the next 12 months to "toughen up" procedures, giving police more powers and more technology.

Travellers flying in to Leeds-Bradford Airport are now being met by Immigration Officers in dark blue suits and light blue shirts.

New-style passport scanners also allow immigration officers to read chips in modern passports which contain further proof that the holders are who they say they are.

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem), whose constituency includes the airport, said he had written to the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, about the security breach.

He said: "This is clearly a very worrying lapse in security at what is a busy international airport.

"That people, who could have begun their journey in any number of destinations, were able to enter the country completely unchecked just because of a simple scheduling mishap is a source for great concern."

Source