Corrupt guards at Sharm el-Sheikh airport 'waved tourists through security for just £20'
TOURISTS were offered the chance to pay £20 to skip queues and bag checks at the beleaguered Sharm el-Sheikh airport.
All 224 people on board were killed when the Russian Metrojet plane crashed last weekend
The Government suspended air links on Wednesday amid fears a bomb was used to down a Russian Metrojet passenger plane in Egypt, killing 224 people.
Dale Parkyn, who visited the Red Sea resort with his wife earlier this year, said they were approached by a man in military uniform and asked if they would like to avoid the long queues.
The 47-year-old, from Harrogate, said: "What we did is we discussed it and he then produced a £20 note and said, 'Have you one of these' and you can avoid the queue.
"We walked right through the security gates and security procedure, straight through the airport, avoided all the queues.
Mr Parkyn said they were approached by a man in military uniform and offered the deal
"Then he put the case on the conveyor belt and the girl checked us in. At no point did my luggage go through any scanner. When I think now, it was bizarre.
"At the time it was quite amusing that for us, for £20, we'd avoided all the queues."
He said he realised the "gravity" of the situation after seeing news of the Government's announcement.
Security at Sharm el-Sheikh airport has come under intense scrutiny in recent days
And Brendan De Garis, from Maidstone, revealed that razors were missed in one queue-jumper's luggage.
He said: "David Cameron did the right thing. The airport's not safe. The staff I saw were arrogant, complacent, and a danger to the public.
"Security was such a shambles I was relieved when we were turned round at the gate."
Security has since been tightened at the airport following the suspension of flights, including a ban on carrying hold luggage.
It is thought that a bomb planted by Islamic State brought down the jet
Russia: Foreign Ministry slam UK's 'shocking' conduct over Sinai plane crash info
Among a list of barred items on flights departing to the UK are wheelchairs, buggies and child car seats.
Passengers requiring large medical devices have also been told they will have to leave them in Sharm.
The British Government has promised to securely ship all the banned hold items via courier within seven days.
The temporary rule adds that "replacement wheelchairs and pushchairs will be provided on arrival at your destination".
More than 20 flights are set to be operated from Sharm to the UK today, amid tightened security.