I am intrigued as to why having flown through Manchester on at least 10 occasions in the last three months I have not been asked to show my passport at security then Ernest? Generally you show your passport at check in (or not if you have checked in on line) and then at the gate as you board. At security they merely scan your boarding card.
I have sympathy with secuirty here I have many times, not just at Manchester but all over the world, seem families grouped around the security area unloading copious amounts of bags belts, coats etc and am not surprised that such a mistake could be made. The fact it is the time of the Olympics is merely a side issue here, it doesn't matter when it happens.