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Naomi to be charged over 'rage' at lost luggage
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor23 May 2008
Supermodel Naomi Campbell is to be charged over an alleged air rage incident over lost luggage at Heathrow last month, the Standard can reveal.
The prosecution follows a row which led to the star being hauled off a BA plane in handcuffs after staff told her that one of her bags had been lost in Terminal Five.
Reports claimed she physically and verbally assaulted both police and airline staff, as well as spitting and screaming.
Details of the charges are expected to be announced next week.
Sources said, however, that the supermodel, 37, would be prosecuted, adding: "She will be keeping the courts busy for some time to come."
The incident occurred after the supermodel boarded a flight to LA. She checked in two pieces of luggage, but after boarding the flight was told by staff in the first class cabin that one her bags had been lost.
They told her she would have to leave the flight, apparently causing Campbell to explode with rage. Reports described how she yelled "A***holes. You are all a***holes" at police and also abused BA staff.
"Why can't you do anything right? Get all my bags on this flight. I'm Naomi Campbell," she was reported as saying, yelling "bloody fools" at the BA crew and "what are you looking at?" at other passengers.
One crew member was said to have attempted to restrain her, while female staff reportedly collapsed in tears as the incident escalated.
Armed police officers took her off the plane. She was later released on bail on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
Witnesses said she spat in the face of one officer and tried to kick and punch others.
Although there has been no official confirmation, BA is understood to have imposed a lifetime ban on the supermodel.
She was initially reported to have pleaded with the airline to overturn the ban, claiming she had spent tens of thousands of pounds with it over the years, but later told a Brazilian newspaper that she was boycotting BA, not the other way round.
After flying to Rio from London on Brazilian carrier TAM, she reportedly said: "Someone from BA asked that I return to fly with them but this will not occur so early. I am speaking for all those who have been disrespected."
Reader views (6)
If I was a first-class passenger who was asked to leave the plane because an item of luggage had failed to join me I'd absolutely furious as well, but it's still no excuse for spitting at and kicking airline crew or police officers.
- Lmd, London, 24/05/2008 15:33
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Were any of those who have left comments actually on the plane at the time? Rather than act as judge and jury, let's see what the real evidence is and let the courts decide (if indeed it ever goes to court). Let's face it, BA itself has often been, er, economical with the truth (the end of Concorde, the attacks on Virgin...).
- Damian Hockney, London, UK, 24/05/2008 00:02
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Although I am generally unsympathetic to air rage, treatment by BA was outrageous. She checked in, boarded the flight, and then was told that, because BA had lost her bag, she had to leave the flight? That's unbelievable. Britain is becoming a hell-hole, and none of the formerly civil Brits seems able even to perceive that it is happening.
- R Munton, Washington, DC, USA, 23/05/2008 21:07
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She is someone who - despite her outward appearance - has an indelible aura of ugliness. I am sure her attitude is due to extreme insecurity, she knows her best-before date is fast approaching and her other attempts at employment (acting and "writing") have been laughable at best. I hope she saved her pennies because her earing days are almost over!
- Tina, London, 23/05/2008 16:21
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She deserves a few weeks in jail over this. About time this bitchy woman was taken down off her high horse. Congratulations to BA on banning her for life, would be great if ALL airlines did the same.
- Mickey Smythe, Blighty, 23/05/2008 14:48
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Nasty spoilt cow, past her sell by date. Bang her up with Bubba.. that teach her a few manners!
- James, New Malden, Surrey, 23/05/2008 14:46
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