Probe into Heathrow gun incident

The alleged lapse in security at Heathrow was the second revealed in 24 hours

LONDON, England -- Investigations were under way on Thursday after an apparent lapse in airport security when an undercover television reporter smuggled an imitation gun on to a flight from London's Heathrow airport.

A spokeswoman for the UK Department of Transport said that Transport Minister Alistair Darling was meeting Mike Hodgkinson, the Chief Executive of BAA which runs the airport, to discuss the allegations.

It was the second alleged security problem at Heathrow to be revealed in 24 hours with concerns mounting as the anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks approaches.

On Wednesday police said they had arrested 15 illegal immigrants working in high-security zones at the airport -- one of the world's busiest. (Full Story)

The airline involved in the gun incident, British Midland (BMI), said it was "shocked" at the incident, in which a replica 9mm semi-automatic pistol was taken aboard a flight to Edinburgh in a holdall.

Just one week ago Swede Kerim Chatty allegedly tried to smuggle a gun on to a Ryanair flight from Stockholm to another London airport, Stansted.

A spokeswoman for BMI told the UK's Press Association: "BMI is shocked at the apparent lapse in security, alleged to have taken place at Heathrow.

"The airline will be seeking reassurances and a full explanation at the highest level from the airport authorities with regards to security procedures and vigilance."

The imitation gun was taken on to a British Midland flight by Meridian TV producer Mike Pearse wrapped as a birthday present in his hand luggage.

It was manufactured in China and made from heavy plastic.

Tests by BAA later confirmed it should have shown up on the X-ray machine it passed through.

Pearse told PA: "I was amazed how easy it was to walk through Heathrow security with a gun undetected. It was fake but could have been real and that is cause for concern."

On Wednesday police said they had arrested 15 illegal immigrants working in high-security zones at Heathrow.

Nine of the 15 have been deported, two have been charged with stolen passport offences and four were released without charge, police told CNN.

They said a cleaning company was helping them with their inquiries.

Conservative MP David Wilshire, who represents some of the area bordering the airport, told The Daily Mirror newspaper: "This is serious, important and very worrying."