Kenny MacAskill to address stop-and-search concerns at Glasgow Airport

Published on Monday 6 February 2012 12:48

GLASGOW Airport is making strides in addressing concerns that ethnic minorities are unfairly targeted by Schedule 7, stop and search powers, Kenny MacAskill has said.

The Scottish Justice Secretary visited the hub after concerns that police’s use of the anti-terror powers were breeding resentment in some communities.

Mr MacAskill said: “I am pleased to see the police operation first hand and witness the important work being carried out by police at Glasgow Airport.

“They have been engaging with the local community to share information and I welcome the positive progress they have made working hard to reassure communities and build trust following public meetings about Schedule 7 powers last year.

“Concerns were raised about a lack of clear information about the powers and how they are used, and police have acted swiftly by reviewing the leaflets given to those who are stopped and by making sure information is more widely and easily available, both at the airports and in communities.”

He added: “Scotland is not immune from terrorism, so it is vital that our airports are effectively policed to preserve public order and ensure that any threats to security are identified and addressed.

“The police play a crucial role, having to balance a duty to tackle crime with the protection of individual civil liberties.”

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27

Simonsaid

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:35 PM

26MONYKERRGHAY My the Moderator has been busy ====================================================== Aye yer right ther China - enen a wis modernised wid ye believe

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26

KINGFISHER1

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:26 AM

My the Moderator has been busy.The incident at Glasgow Airport was, and is, technical.25 makes fair and accurate comment. The safery of the travelling public is material, a point not grasped by the Political Authorities, as 25 has fairly commented.

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25

Lachie Mhor

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:03 AM

There is no doubt that our Justice Minister would prefer to see several aircraft obliterated rather than offend any minority group with a sense of their own importance. He should perhaps address the spiralling murder and serious crime statistics which are a hallmark of his tenure of office.

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Lachie Mhor

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 10:57 AM

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23

aIasdair

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 08:00 AM

Pending Moderation

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22

all politicians are the s*me

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 02:15 AM

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21

Simonsaid

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:47 PM

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20

Templar75

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:40 PM

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19

mahatmacoat

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:26 PM

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18

Simonsaid

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 07:20 PM

#17- mahatmacoat This is a Glasgow Airport problem..I have never heard of complaints from the Muslim community flying through other Scottish airports ======================================================= Well you have now - Glasgow MSP Humza Yousaf was selected from among returning passengers at Edinburgh Airport while coming back from holiday with his wife Gail Lythgoe. The SNP MSP stressed he was not seeking special treatment just because he was an elected public figure, but he said it demonstrated Schedule 7 stops had no basis in terms of security or intelligence and were based simply on skin colour. “We were pulled aside, our passports were screened under Schedule 7 and we were asked where we had been and why we were there.” “ ======================================================= You will notice that above MSP has made an allegation that he was stopped because of his skin colour – Did the person who stopped him tell him that or was that the first thing that came into his head? You will also note that he said his passport was screened under Schedule 7 of the terrorist laws – How did he know that? As I am certain he was not told that by the security staff. Also, the other questions such as where have you been and why were you there are routine questions asked of any passenger if they are stopped If I had to guess I would say that, in common with most SNP politicians, he has an inflated view of his own importance, and was severely miffed that the Security failed to recognise such an important personage as his good self. Now guess who is behind the above headline – yes you got it in one - MSP Humza Yousaf

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mahatmacoat

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:26 PM

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Simonsaid

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 05:40 PM

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15

Harvey Mushman

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 05:14 PM

If little green men with purple ears were attacking you it would behoove you to pay them special attention. Profiling has undeserved negative connotations.......don't let political correctness get in the way of common sense....

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jasbar

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 04:26 PM

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13

Simonsaid

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 04:00 PM

Well wouldn’t you know it – the SNP’s ethnic minority whine about being searched at Glasgow airport and guess what Kenny Ma-Cats-Killed is galvanised into action to address their concerns. I have spent most of my working life travelling all over the world and I have been searched many times, in many countries. Not once did it occur to me to make use of my white ethnic card – perhaps I should look it out and dust it down The last time I arrived at Edinburgh airport from Amsterdam I was first off the plane, got through immigration but was stopped at customs – my hand luggage was decanted and thoroughly inspected – my bag was then scrupulously sniffed by an electronic gadget, and having found nothing you would expect me to be on my way – not a bit of it – I was then interrogated and my passport taken to an office for closer inspection. When the immigration officer eventually reappeared with my passport I was so angry that I shouted at the top of my voice; “If I had been an illegal immigrant I would not have been treated better.” I saw no ethnic minorities stopped and there were plenty on my flight. The only conclusion I can come to is that It was “Stop an Ethnic Scottie Day” at Edinburgh airport that day.

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