Accusations of Jersey Airport cover-up after minister reveals bomb threat was missed for six hours
Deputy Ian Gorst confirmed that an email was sent to the airport's customer enquiries inbox at 11:16pm on Tuesday 4 March, but it is only monitored during operational hours - 5:30am to 9pm - so officials discovered the threat the next morning during standard opening checks.
Emergency procedures were then activated and the decision was made to evacuate the entire terminal building following a risk assessment, with the alarm raised at 6:28am on Wednesday 5 March.
The runway was subsequently closed, with all flights suspended and people asked to avoid the area as armed police secured the scene.
After extensive checks, it was deemed to be a hoax and Jersey Airport reopened just after 11am.
At the time, Operations Director Ashley Maggs described it as a "significant security incident" that staff were "taking very seriously".
However, Deputy Jonathan Renouf says: "It's deeply concerning that a bomb threat was actually received the night before and not seen by anybody.
"That seems to be a major security breach and failure, it should be investigated as a matter of extreme urgency.
"What I find particularly worrying is that it has taken so much effort and so long to find out what has gone on. I have been asking questions and the media has been asking questions; the best solution in these circumstances is openness and transparency. Instead, it looks like we've had an attempt to cover it up."
In response, Mr Maggs confirmed the minister's timeline, adding: "We are unable to give any more details of the specifics of this threat due to laws which govern aviation security.
"A multi-agency response was conducted in accordance with emergency response procedures.
"As with any security incident, we cannot comment any further on this matter or actions taken."
ITV News understands that a police investigation into what happened is ongoing.
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