A terrorism expert today backed Stansted as a secure airport despite a gun and a fake bomb being smuggled past security staff.

A Department of Transport inspector walked through a metal detector and was in a position to board an aircraft with a handgun tucked into the back of his trousers, it was reported today.

The alarm went off but staff who searched him with hand scanners missed the weapon hidden in the small of his back

A fake bomb in a carrier bag also got through an X-ray machine without being spotted.

But today former Army officer Mike Yardley said passengers should not be worried about travelling through Stansted.

Mr Yardley, who lives in Brightlingsea and has written a number of books on terrorism, described the airport as one of the safest in the world and he said terrorist bosses would never target it to smuggle guns or explosive devices.

Stansted Airport has confirmed that security is being reassessed but declined to comment on specific tests.

For more on this story see today's Evening Gazette

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