It is nothing short of a disgrace. Security at Gatwick should be reviewed immediately

Laura Moffat MP

The newspaper said he would have had plenty of time to commit acts of sabotage or plant explosive devices.

It comments: "If a News of the World reporter with absolutely no flying experience can manage it, so could any Real IRA terrorist."

British Airways pledged to co-operate with any investigation while Birmingham Airport officials said they complied fully with government security rules.

Exposing what it called a "horrifying collapse in security", the newspaper's reporter said he first walked into an outfitter used by British Airways and paid �140 for a full captain's uniform.

No checks were made on his identity after he told them he was a freelance pilot, it is alleged.

The security pass was obtained for �10 using a fictitious company name and false date and place of birth.

Getting inside the empty aircraft was easy, the reporter suggests

The undercover reporter used his real name but called himself a "Captain". The pass arrived within a fortnight.

Saying the newspaper was alerted to lax security by concerned airport staff, the reporter then went to Birmingham Airport - the fourth busiest in the country.

His fake pass and uniform got him through security checks and his bag was not checked in an X-ray machine.

He walked into a British Airways hangar and on board one of the company's jets, where an engineer switched on the power for him.

Returning the same day, the journalist passed through security checks again and filmed the aircraft hangar he had access to.

Birmingham: Access obtained to a British Airways hangar

Procedures were later tested at Gatwick Airport, south of London, where the reporter's bags were checked by an X-ray machine and he had to pass through a metal detector.

The false pass was checked by security staff - but he was waved through and spent 30 minutes wandering around parked aircraft belonging to a range of companies.

The News of the World said it had passed all the information onto the authorities and companies involved.

Birmingham International Airport said the pass gave the reporter "access to a controlled area where no passenger movements take place".

"Birmingham Airport complies with full DETR security compliance.

"Had the individual attempted to enter a restricted area where passenger movements take place, he would have been subjected to a full search to prevent any prohibited items getting through."

Gatwick: Access gained to parked aircraft

British Airways said safety and security were their "absolute priority".

"We were very concerned to hear the allegations that it was possible to gain access to restricted areas at Gatwick and Birmingham with an airport ID gained under false pretences.

"We spoke immediately with airport security chiefs and to the DETR and will cooperate fully with any investigation into the incident."

The Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions - which sets and assesses airport security standards - insisted they took the issue "extremely seriously".

"We trust the News of the World will hand over all the evidence they have immediately to help these inquiries fully", a spokesperson added.

Angry MPs

British Airports Authority, which is responsible for airside security at Gatwick, said it was "satisfied" the reporter was properly screened.

But MPs whose constituencies cover the two airports were unhappy at the findings.

Labour's Estelle Morris, who represents Birmingham Yardley, said she was "very concerned" and called for a full investigation.

Laura Moffat, the Labour MP whose Crawley constituency covers Gatwick, said: "It is nothing short of a disgrace. Security at Gatwick should be reviewed immediately."