Bristol Airport security firm pay £4000 discrimination claim
13.08.08
A security firm working at Bristol Airport has paid £4,000 in compensation, following claims of racial discrimination of a passenger. ICTS, which vets passengers flying with US firm Continental Airlines, paid the cash in an out-of- court settlement to Cedric Stewart, from Bristol. Mr Stewart said he was targeted because of the colour of his skin, although the company strongly denied its staff had acted in any racist way.
Mr Stewart said a holiday trip to New York turned into a nightmare and a humiliation. In September 2006, he and a male companion were repeatedly challenged by staff working for ICTS. He said that he and his companion were targeted because they were the only black passengers in the queue, that they were questioned in front of other passengers at the check-in, a second time, as their belongings were tipped onto a table, and a third time, as they reached the departure gate at the airport, in full view of other passengers. This time their personal items were emptied onto the floor.
At an initial hearing at Bristol County Court, lawyers for ICTS claimed they could not give evidence because it would threaten homeland security in the US. The judge rejected their plea and said it was a matter for the British courts. ICTS agreed to pay £4000 and meet Mr Stewart's legal costs, after a third hearing.
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