Reporter with bogus references boards Ryanair jet hold

New fears were raised over airport security tonight when it was revealed that a journalist boarded the hold of a jetliner after using bogus references to become a baggage handler.

The reporter working for The Sunday Mirror had direct access to Ryanair jets at London’s Stansted airport after giving three false references to get the job.

Within a week of being taken on he was given a pass allowing him to have direct access to planes and passengers’ luggage minutes before take off.

He also smuggled cameras through the X-ray screening and searches by airport staff.

The reporter applied for the position through the Manpower offices in Harlow, Essex, using his real name but using false references.

He was given a 10-minute interview and told the British Airports Authority (BAA) would make checks into his background.

But the only check that was made was a quick call to bogus friends named in the references.

No-one checked that the names matched the addresses or the reporter’s employment history.

Six days later he started work at the airport.

The job involved unloading the plane and putting on some 200 bags in a 25-minute turnaround before it took off again. He was left alone for up to five minutes in the plane’s holds – enough time to add an extra bag containing a weapon or explosive.

Aviation expert Chris Yates, editor of Jane’s Civil Aviation Security magazine, said: “This is the most appalling lapse of security I have ever come across. I am absolutely shocked. Heads should roll.”

A spokesperson from BAA Stansted said they will investigate the incident, which happened during the last 10 days in September.

He said: “We will investigate the claims to determine whether any breach of procedures occurred and to investigate if the airport security pass in question was attained by criminally fraudulent means.”

This latest security lapse follows a journalist from German television station Stern TV smuggling a fake explosive on board a plane travelling from Frankfurt to Heathrow in September.

A reporter from The People also smuggled a meat cleaver and a 4inch dagger on a British Airways flight from Heathrow to Manchester.