Unauthorised photo costs airport £4,000

Manchester airport has reportedly paid out £4,000 to a passenger after staff took a photo of him without permission. According to the Guardian newspaper, 45-year-old Tim Hedgley complained after his photo was taken in the airport when he was on his way to Belfast in June 2003; he claims he was taken to the immigration area, where his photograph was taken “against his will”. When he was using the airport once more in June 2004, he complained once more about the previous incident; on that occasion he was then escorted to the aircraft by two armed police officers. The Guardian quotes him as saying: “I am 100 per cent behind improved security but I was cross because my rights are being abused. I felt my privacy had been invaded.” He added that he was concerned that the photo could be kept on file or redistributed; the airport, however, claims that all photographs taken in such a way are deleted within 24 hours. The airport has now issued leaflets telling passengers of their rights relating to photographs; staff have been told that anyone who refuses to have their photo taken can remain on the “land side” of the airport until the flight is called – at this point they will be escorted to the aircraft by security officers. A spokesman is quoted as saying: “Passengers are not compelled to have their photograph taken and there is a procedure in place to accommodate any objections. After being made aware of a breakdown in procedures, the airport reviewed its protocol and issued additional guidance to staff.” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd www.newsfromabroad.com