A major investigation was under way today after an undercover reporter smuggled a weapon on to a flight from Gatwick.
The reporter, from Meridian Television, smuggled a six-inch pair of scissors, hidden in a Filofax, on to a flight from the airport.
It was one of three alleged security lapses at airports in the South East which have raised security fears on the eve of the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Undercover reporters also smuggled a replica 9mm semi-automatic pistol onboard a flight from Heathrow to Edinburgh and a pair of scissors onto a flight from Southampton.
BAA, which owns the three airports, said it was investigating to see if guards had "taken their eye off the ball".
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