Birmingham Airport investigates ‘pain’ incident
01.04.10
Birmingham Airport is reviewing security measures after a man at the airport said being touched by guards would cause him pain, the BBC reports. David Foster, who has extreme fibromyalgia, a muscle and connective tissue condition, had been carrying out a disability audit at the airport. He said he told guards he would rather take off his clothes in a room at the airport instead of being patted down. The airport said it was discussing the incident with the Department for Transport, to receive guidance on the actions it could or should take.
Mr Foster, who is the chair of Rugby Disability Forum said the airport apologised following the incident, which happened on a visit earlier this month. He told the BBC: ‘I said 'no, I can't be touched, sorry' and all hell broke loose because they said 'well we've got to touch you, we've got to pat you down. I said 'OK, what I'll do, I can't be touched, I'll go into a room, I'll take my clothes off. There you are, you can see I've got nothing on me'.’
However, he said the guards said they were not allowed to do that and he did not go any further through security. Mr Foster said he subsequently had a telephone conversation with the airport security manager.
In a statement, the airport said it understood Mr Foster's case was ‘a unique situation’. It said: ‘We follow the Department for Transport security guidelines which require all UK airports to carry out body screening on each and every individual that enters a restricted zone, either by metal detection or physical search. We are therefore in the process of discussing Mr Foster's situation with the Department for Transport to seek advice on how to proceed with this situation so that Mr Foster can take air travel once more.’
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