British officials seek talks with Ryanair after TV exposé

The British Department of Transport is reportedly seeking talks with Ryanair following's this week's exposé on Channel 4's Dispatches programme.

The documentary unveiled a number of alleged security and safety breaches at the Irish airline, with cabin crews failing to check passports and safety equipment and falling asleep on the job.

It also revealed the extent to which staff at the company feel unappreciated and overworked, with one pilot saying he feared being sacked if he refused to fly while he was tired.

The allegations were based on video footage recorded by two undercover reporters who infiltrated the airline for five months.

Ryanair has rejected all of the allegations and accused the programme-makers of making a "docu-soap" rather than a documentary.