National security under threat from airport queue 'circus'

Passenger chaos at Britain's airports has become a "circus" which threatens national security, Labour claimed last night.

Hundreds of people yesterday faced "unacceptably long" queues at immigration checks at Stansted airport. It follows major delays of up to three hours at passport control at Heathrow airport, with just weeks to go until athletes and the world's media arrive for the London Olympics.

Customs staff are being redirected to passport control, meaning checks for guns, drugs and other smuggled goods have been all but abandoned.

It also emerged last night that wealthy passengers are being offered the chance to "jump" queues at Heathrow, by paying £1,800 to pass through the airport as VIPs. The Sunday Times reported that airport operator BAA had opened up the exclusive Windsor Suite to be used by wealthy passengers. Louise Ellman, chairman of the Commons transport select committee, said the service "shows a contempt for members of the public trying to get into the country".

The crisis will pile pressure on Theresa May, the Home Secretary, already on the back foot over revelations last autumn that some passenger checks were relaxed to cope with queues.

David Cameron called Ms May into Downing Street last week to demand an explanation for the long queues, which risk harming Britain's international reputation when the world's eyes are on the capital.

Yvette Cooper, the shadow Home Secretary, said Ms May had to "get a grip". She said: "The chaos at our borders is clearly spreading – damaging our global reputation and our security too. This is becoming a circus, with staff being shunted from port to port to try to keep up. She needs to get a grip, sort out unacceptable delays at our borders and make sure there are enough officers available to maintain security too."

A spokesman for Stansted said: "We recognise that maintaining strong border security is a priority but we also want to see sufficient resources available to meet passenger demand."

The PCS union has warned that routine security checks are not being carried out because staff have been moved elsewhere, a problem exacerbated by job cuts.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Independent Travel Videos
Independent Travel Videos
Simon Calder in Amsterdam
Independent Travel Videos
Simon Calder in Giverny
Independent Travel Videos
Simon Calder in St John's
Independent Travel Videos
News in pictures
World news in pictures
       
Independent
Travel Shop
South Africa
15 nights from only £1,899pp Find out more
Paris and the Cote d’Azur city break
Seven nights from £579pp Find out more
Seville, Granada and Malaga break
Seven nights from £549pp Find out more

ES Rentals

    Independent Dating
    and  

    By clicking 'Search' you
    are agreeing to our
    Terms of Use.

    iJobs Job Widget
    iJobs Travel

    Food Technology Teacher

    £26400 - £36000 per annum: Randstad Education Maidstone: An Independant school...

    Travel Consultant - Career In The Travel Industry!! Full Training Provided!!

    £22k-£25k + comm + benefits: Blue Travel Solutions: LOOKING FOR A CAREER IN TH...

    Caribbean Specialists !! Excellent Salary!!!

    £26k-£29k + excellent comm: Blue Travel Solutions: We have a high-end luxury t...

    Travel Agent

    £23000 - £27000 per annum + (£15K + Uncapped Commission & Benefits): Flight Ce...

    Day In a Page

    The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

    The price of pacifism

    From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
    'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

    Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

    To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
    Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

    Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

    Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
    Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

    Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

    If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
    Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

    Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

    Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
    One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

    One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

    Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
    The real thing? Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

    The real thing?

    Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
    Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

    Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

    The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
    Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

    Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

    Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
    Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

    Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

    Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
    Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails

    Why bitters are back on the bar

    A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...
    The 10 Best barbecues

    The 10 Best barbecues

    Whether you're cooking on gas or are a convert to charcoal we've got the perfect way to cook when the sun is out.
    Style icon David Beckham calls time on his long retirement

    Style icon calls time on his long retirement

    David Beckham never disgraced himself but former England captain ceased to be a major player years ago. Remember him at his United peak
    Steve Harper: My darkest times

    Steve Harper: My darkest times

    As the popular Newcastle goalkeeper bows out after 20 years at the club, he tells Martin Hardy about the private battle with depression that threatened his career
    Sir Torquil Norman has designed a flat-pack OX truck for the developing world

    The flat-pack truck with big ambitions

    After making a fortune from Polly Pocket and a doll's house shaped like a teapot, the entrepreneur has turned his creativity to a transporter truck for the developing world. Simon Usborne meets him.