UK will be seen as easy terror target’

LABOUR called for a public inquiry last night as the Government stood accused of a catalogue of errors that exposed Britain’s vulnerability to drone attacks.

It also emerged laws to beefup drone security were delayed by the Department for Transport, despite repeated warnings from experts, because staff were working on Brexit.

A former airline security boss warned potential terrorists may see Britain as an easy drone target in the wake of the Gatwick response.

The source said that because of publicity surrounding the shambles there were fears it could inspire copycats.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling shelved drone legislation, due for publication in the spring, as staff were diverted to Brexit work.

Urgent

This was despite calls for “swift government action” from pilots’ union BALPA and a report – co-authored by politics expert Professor David Dunn and former GCHQ head David Omand – calling for “urgent” measures to protect British airspace from drone attack.

Labour sources said it plans to push for an inquiry within weeks. Shadow Transport Secretary Andy Mcdonald said: “The Government was repeatedly warned about the risks drones pose.

“The delay in legislation is indicative of its failure to concentrate on day to day business.”

The Home Office said it could not comment on operational matters.

But Lord Dannatt, ex-british Army chief, called the UK’S drone response a “pantomime and an “embarrassment”.