Red-faced MP Tom Brake brought a VIP visit to Gatwick airport to a halt by forgetting his passport.

The Liberal Democrat shadow transport minister needed the document to get security clearance to tour the airport with an airside pass.

BAA's security staff would not accept his driving licence or his House of Commons ID card as proof of identity. Much to his host's initial embarrassment, they refused to issue the pass.

Frantic phone calls revealed the passport was on his kitchen table and the whistle-stop tour was delayed for 20 minutes while BAA officials dealt with the gaffe.

Finally, airport boss Roger Cato stepped in and authorised the pass.

He called the relieved MP on his mobile phone and told him.

Mr Brake, MP for Wallington and Carshalton, said: "I have to hold my hands up and say I foolishly forgot my passport.

"MPs are busy people who sometimes are not able to read the small print detail on the many invitations they receive. I was asked to bring it but I simply did not notice."

The 41-year-old former computer consultant was the guest of the Go-Ahead group, looking at their integrated transport system.

The tour party caught a London bus at Westminster and then the Gatwick Express from Victoria without a hitch before the MP's passport mistake was spotted.

The idea was to demonstrate how Go-Ahead could transport people from their doorsteps to the threshold of international trips.

Aviance, the ground handling firm at Gatwick, is part of the Go-Ahead group. Spokesman Chris Hudson said: "It was a mistake anyone could have made. But it shows BAA airport security is tight, no matter who you are."

Mr Brake was impressed with the tour. He said: "The security is tight but it could still be tighter. I noticed some weeks ago a person with a pass can escort up to six other people airside and is responsible for those people at all times."