Dominic Raab’s bodyguard sparks police dash after his loaded, semi-automatic pistol found on plane

Dominic Raab’s bodyguard sparked a police scramble at Heathrow airport after leaving his loaded, semi-automatic Glock 19 pistol on the seat of a plane.

The alarm was raised by a cleaner after she found the unattended weapon in its holster on board the United Airlines jet from Washington DC before officers descended on the scene. 

But they were eventually stood down after realising the gun belonged to a protection officer assigned to the Foreign Secretary who had been in the US to discuss the issues of Brexit and Northern Ireland with political leaders.

The Metropolitan Police have since confirmed that the security officer has been suspended from operational firearms duties pending an investigation.   

The United Airlines flight landed at Heathrow’s Terminal 2 shortly before 6.30am yesterday.  

‘The protection officer began sorting out passports and preparing to escort Mr Raab off the flight,’ a source told The Sun.

‘For whatever reason, he took off his holster with the loaded Glock pistol inside and laid it on the seat. 

‘The officer then went off with the Foreign Secretary, leaving the gun behind. The cleaners came on and one of them found the gun in its holster.

‘She was understandably shocked and called for help and police were called.’ 

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police told MailOnline: ‘We are aware of the incident on a flight into the UK on Friday, 18 September and we are taking this matter extremely seriously.

‘The officer involved has since been removed from operational duties whilst an internal investigation into the circumstances is taking place.’

Civil Aviation Authority rules allow UK police to carry firearms on board in ‘specific, controlled circumstances’. 

The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.

Earlier this year, one of David Cameron’s security officers was suspended after he also left his gun, believed to be a 9mm Glock 17, in a toilet on board an aircraft.  

It had been found along with Mr Cameron’s passport and that of his bodyguard. 

A terrified passenger handed the stash to flight attendants on board the British Airways scheduled service from New York to London with take-off delayed by an hour because of the commotion. 

The officer was later removed from operational duties and is expected to face disciplinary action and an investigation by the force’s Directorate of Professional Standards. 

Speaking at the time of the incident, a passenger said: ‘A guy started to show pictures on his phone of a gun and two passports – one was David Cameron’s – he said he found it in the toilet. ‘They were just resting on the side by the sink. 

‘He was stunned by what he saw. Later the man pointed out the bodyguard as he came through our section. 

‘He was dressed casually, in jeans and a black and grey striped top.’ 

Mr Raab had been in Washington to meet politicians threatening to block a UK-US trade deal if Boris Johnson breaks international law during the Brexit deal.

The Prime Minister wants to introduce measures in new British legislation that would allow ministers to unpick part of the Withdrawal Agreement he signed last year relating to Northern Ireland’s status.

Earlier this week, a No10 spokesman defended the bill, telling reporters: ‘The PM has been clear throughout that we are taking these steps to precisely make sure that the Belfast Agreement is upheld in all circumstances and any harmful defaults do not inadvertently come into play.

‘We continue to remain absolutely committed to no hard border and no border infrastructure between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and we will continue to engage with our US partners on a bipartisan basis to ensure that our positions are understood.’