As British media reported, citing unnamed sources, Interior Minister James Cleverly is demanding answers from the airport and border guards because of the “humiliating fiasco.”
Indictment on several counts
The 46-year-old traveler was arrested in London on Monday morning for failing to appear at a court hearing, the British news agency PA reported on Monday. The man boarded a British Airways flight on December 23, 2023. He is said to have pushed his way through check-in behind another traveler without attracting attention. Only when he entered the USA was he caught by border officials at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport and sent back to Great Britain. He arrived there on Christmas Day and was charged with several counts.
“Harrowing and embarrassing”
The case was shocking and extremely embarrassing, the Sun newspaper quoted a source from the Interior Ministry as saying. “Heads will roll. (…) It is unbearable to think regarding what would have happened if a terrorist had managed to board a plane undetected.” The USA is completely upset.
“We are supporting the authorities in their investigation,” said British Airways. An airport spokesman told PA: “All people taking to the air are subject to security screening, including the person involved in this case.” When leaving the country, there are no official passport checks at British airports – as in the USA. As a rule, ground staff check passengers’ documents when boarding.
