A "highly troubling" breakdown of communication between officials led to UK border controls being relaxed too often last year, MPs have said.
The Commons home affairs committee said it was "shocked" at the number of times checks had been waived when ports and airports became too busy.
It blamed the Home Office for a "lack of supervision" of senior staff.
Labour called the committee's report "damning"; the government said it would respond "in due course".
Last autumn it was revealed that a pilot scheme to reduce passport checks on some citizens of EU countries had been used at 28 ports and airports.
It led to the head of the UK border force, Brodie Clark, resigning after a 40-year career in the Home Office.
He admitted using guidance that said fingerprint checks could be suspended during health and safety emergencies - such as a large build-up of passengers in the arrivals hall or a fire.
Mr Clark said he had received no ministerial authorisation but also accused Home Secretary Theresa May of blaming him for the problems for "political convenience".
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