Women banned from flight after refusing to go through ‘naked’ scanners
02.03.10
Two women were banned from boarding a flight at Manchester Airport after refusing to undergo a full body scan, the BBC reports. The passengers were due to fly to Islamabad on February 19 when they were selected at random to go through the new so-called 'naked' scanner. One, who is reported to be a Muslim, refused on religious reasons and the other cited health reasons. They are thought to be the first people to refuse to use the scanners since they become compulsory in February.
Security staff use the X-ray machine to check for any concealed weapons or explosives but they have been criticised as an invasion of privacy. The machines were introduced as part of a trial at the airport last October. The women were warned they were legally required to go through the scanner, after being selected at random, or they could not fly, an airport spokesman said. It is not clear whether the women were travelling together.
A Manchester Airport spokesman told the BBC: 'Two female travellers who had been booked to fly out of Terminal 2 refused to be scanned for medical and religious reasons. In accordance with the Government directive on scanners, they weren't allowed to fly.'
'Body scanning is a significant change for our customers who are chosen and we are conscious of their privacy worries, which is why we have put strict procedures to reassure them that their privacy will be protected. The women forfeited their flight and left the airport.'
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