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Luton protester's job at airport is reviewed
Terry Kirby12.03.09
The Luton airport baggage handler who was revealed as a member of a hardline Islamist group which staged a demonstration against British troops is to have his job reviewed, his employers said today.
Jalal Ahmed was among a group of about 20 Muslims who protested at a homecoming parade by the Royal Anglian Regiment in Luton on Tuesday.
They carried posters calling the troops "Butchers of Basra".
The protest was run by a group calling itself Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah - believed to be an offshoot of Al Muhajiroun, the banned organisation founded by radical preacher Omar Bakri Mohammed.
Ahmed, who is in his twenties and lives in Luton, was photographed standing next to a poster saying "British Government Terrorist Government" as others alongside him hurled abuse at the parade.
He has worked as an occasional baggage handler for budget airline EasyJet at Luton airport for about two years, a post which requires criminal records and airport security checks.
Ahmed is employed by Menzies Aviation, which provides baggage handling services for the airport.
The company confirmed he was a contracted employee, who was asked to work according to demand.
He is not due to work there in the near future, but a spokesman for the company said his job would be reviewed by them in conjunction with Luton Airport.
The spokesman added: "As with any employee who is involved in questionable behaviour, we will be discussing his position with the airport authority."
Reader views (9)
Taking away his job would be wrong. Freedom of speech is to be valued.
- Mike, Croydon
A state cannot thrive when substantial numbers of its citizens have no loyalty to it. Where people admit they have more loyalty to another country, their citizenship should be revoked. When Guardian-readers like me start thinking the unthinkable, the main parties should be worried.
- Alex Mckenna, Manchester
If you have worked at a British airport like I have, you would know how easy it is for a baggage handler to slip something inside someones's suitcase, AFTER it has been through the x-ray machine.
So let this be on record, to use against any guilty party, whether the airline, baggage handling company, security checking firms etc, and last, but not least, on this Government, for being responsible or sharing in it, if anything should happen and is proven to be because of people working there who shouldn't be.
- Ralph, GB
We do not know if the people in the Black dresses were men or women,and why did the police allow them to photograph all the Troops.very suspicious !!!
- David., Chertsey.UK.
Brandon I absolutely agree. I am now getting quick shocked at the amount of people going to vote far right at the next elections. To all the mainstream parties: you'll get what you deserve at the next election after ignoring the majority of the populas for so long! Baggage handler, um obviously he was well security checked then?
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
If more Muslims spoke out convincingly against such provocative actions perhaps there would be less fear and misunderstanding.
- Sally, London
You will never catch me going through Luton Airport again
are you mad.
- David., Chertsey.UK.
If these people don't like the way we do things they should pack up and go.
After the display we witnessed I think we should pack their bags for them.
- K Maguiore, Stockport UK
I am voting for that other party the media portrays as far right; a party that talks the truth and seems to champion common sense. I can only see more people taking the same road under the present condition of this country.
- Brandon Thomas, London
