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Branson under fire for Love gift
UK: Virgin boss “wanted to spank” rocker – but gave her free tickets
Virgin Atlantic boss Richard Branson has reportedly infuriated his own staff and airline unions by offering rock star Courtney Love free flights after she abused staff. As reported by News From Abroad earlier this week, the wild rocker and widow of grunge legend Curt Cobain was arrested as she arrived at Heathrow after she allegedly swore at staff and refused to sit down as the plane came in to land after a flight from Los Angeles. But, according to the Daily Mail, at a charity party on Wednesday night at London’s Old Vic theatre Richard Branson gave Love four first-class return tickets to Los Angeles – worth more than £24,000. The newspaper reports Branson as saying: “We at Virgin are such a rock ‘n’ roll airline so we understand these things. When I saw her I just wanted to put her across my knee and spank her for being such a naughty, naughty girl.” However, the incident has gone down less well in other circles; a spokesman for the cabin staff union BASSA said: “Nothing can justify abuse, verbal or physical, no matter if it is from a rock star or an ordinary member of the public. Air rage is an issue that the industry needs to take seriously and address – and there should be no exceptions.”
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