Activists chain themselves to plane at Stansted airport in protest at deportation of failed asylum seekers from Nigeria and Ghana

An investigation has been launched after a dozen protesters evaded security at London Stansted airport to chain themselves to a plane on the runway.

The activists blockaded the chartered jet, said to be carrying failed asylum seekers from Nigeria and Ghana on behalf of the Home Office, at just after 10pm last night.

Flights were grounded for around 90 minutes, with eight landings diverted to alternate airports, as Essex Police dealt with the incident.

The security breach came despite heightened security in the wake of last Wednesday’s terror attack at Westminster, which left four people dead.

An airport spokesman said last night: “There are a number of protesters on the north side of the airport away from the passenger terminal, away from the commercial side of the airport, where the private terminals are.

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