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Naomi Campbell had to be removed by police from a flight out of Heathrow last night after getting angry about a missing bag.
The model was then arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer as she was hauled away from the first class lounge of Terminal 5 “ranting and screaming”.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said that a woman was arrested at the terminal for an assault on police, but refused to give her name.
The spokesman said: “At 17.11, officers were alerted to a disturbance at Terminal 5. Officers attended, and subsequently a 37-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer and was taken to Heathrow police station where she remains.”
The model was due to catch a 4pm flight from Heathrow to Los Angeles but had apparently mislaid one of her three items of hand luggage. She then apparently demanded that airport staff find the bag and turned down their offer to look for it and forward it later.
As tempers rose, staff allegedly asked her to leave the airport, saying that she was unfit to fly.
Police were called and Campbell was reportedly heard screaming “get off me, leave me alone”, before she allegedly assaulted an officer and was taken to Heathrow police station.
BA269, the flight Campbell was apparently due to board, left more than an hour and a half late. Bags belonging to the model and her entourage were taken from the flight.
After being questioned she was release in the early hours of the morning on police bail.
Last year Campbell is said to have unleashed a tirade of abuse when she arrived at Heathrow 11 minutes before the scheduled take-off of a BA plane and demanded that she be allowed to board.
According to witnesses to the incident, she shouted at BA staff: “I can’t believe you won’t allow me on your flight. What is this? Who must I speak to?” She then left the airport without taking up BA’s offer of a place on a later flight to New York.
Campbell, who once said that her fiery temper was the result of lingering resentment towards her father for abandoning her as a child, pleaded guilty last year at a court in New York to a charge of reckless assault. The court in Manhattan heard that she had assaulted her housekeeper by throwing a mobile phone at her.
The judge in the case sentenced Campbell to five days’ community service and ordered her to attend an anger management course.
Campbell was also ordered to pay medical bills of $363 (£185) for her injured housekeeper, Ana Scolavino, who needed four stitches after the incident.
Campbell admitted in court to throwing the phone in her Park Avenue apartment, but said that she did not intend it to hit Mrs Scolavino. She said: “I am advised that Ana was hurt, and I am deeply sorry about that.”
British Airways said yesterday that the chaotic opening of Heathrow’s new Terminal 5 would cost the airline about £16 million.
BA added that the terminal would operate a full schedule of flights tomorrow for the first time since it opened one week ago. To date the airline has cancelled 300 flights owing to “logistical problems”.
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naomi campbell and kate moss r the rudest and worst people to deal with i feel sorry 4 the people who work at BA. if someone else was to do something like that they would be puished more. the people at BA r scared of her and so wud i b. our friend has had to deal with her. lesson dont lose her bags
Emma Louise, London,
Naomi Campbell is a looker I'll grant you that, but has the manners and temper of four year old. They should have barred her from Heathrow all together and made her take a boat back home across the pond.
Ben Luera, Sahuarita, USA, Arizona
just arrest all those infuriated customers in T% then start on all the ones that call in to give grief to call centre staff then lock any politician then. Hey othe wise you can expect a swift law suit for wrongful arrest from naiomi demanding a six figure compensation settlement.......nice !
John, london, uk
it's wasn't B.A.s fault, she lost her own hand baggage not checked baggage
steve wil, santa barbara, california
To lose Ms Campbell's lugage is bad enough, but to then throw Her off the flight because they had lost Her lugage is just adding insult to injury.
I hope She sues BA for all losses.
Martin, Poole, UK
Bet she wasn't the only one arrested at Heathrow by over sensitive zealous BA staff. Just the only one that gets any publicity.
Andrew, London,
PSF says "It is that usual frustrating thing that we all get when we DARE to raise our voices a tiny little bit to some drone in a call centre who then announces that they refuse to speak to you and deal with you if you carry on being abusive. There are a lot of people in this country who seem to think that working for a company does not mean they have to take some stick when that company gets it badly wrong".
Here in Canada it is widely accepted that working for a company DOES give you the right to a workplace free of harassment and abuse, and that includes customers. "Drones in call centers" and staff of the BA lounges have had absolutely no say in those decisions that go badly wrong for companies, in fact, I would wager that had BA consulted all the staff who would be working T5 on how it should work and how to prepare for the opening, a lot of very sensible decisions would have been made a much chaos averted.
Lastly, do Ms Campbell and PSF accept "stick" in their workplaces?
robert Barron, Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Naomi IS common. She is from a part of London where there are thousands and thousands of common type of people. Rudeness is the local sport!
You can take the savage out of the bush...........
John, London,
Hmmm, T5, luggage missing. I remember seeing people on the news last week who were screaming at staff. Naomi Campbell apparently raised her voice and got arrested. I think she is being unfairly targetted. It is that usual frustrating thing that we all get when we DARE to raise our voices a tiny little bit to some drone in a call centre who then announces that they refuse to speak to you and deal with you if you carry on being abusive. There are a lot of people in this country who seem to think that working for a company does not mean they have to take some stick when that company gets it badly wrong. You are not allowed to complain or be upset. I imagine someone tried to manhandle her in some way and she pulled away and then when they tried again they started claiming that she was being abusive and violent. As for the amount of luggage, I dare say she went first class and is therefore entitled to take on as much as she wants. Stop being such sheep and look behind the hysteria.
psf, London, UK
I could win Olympic gold in the 100 metres in a new world record time and I am not an athlete! All I would need would be to be in the blocks at the start of the race and have someone whisper in my ear "Win, OR you will be forced to go out for dinner with Naomi Campbell and Heather Mills".
Campbell continues to appall and spitting at a police officer is totally outrageous! I hope the officer is not too traumatised and returns negative results on the bank of tests for infectious diseases he will be strongly advised to undertake.
I do not have a nanosecond of time for this Campbell woman but I have to shake my head in amazement at the fact that Wee Willie and his crew cannot even manage to properly handle the bags of a frequent flying first-class passenger paying an absurdly inflated fare for what is laughingly called 'Premium Service'
Richard Branson must be mirthfully splitting his sides!
Mike, Balsall Common, UK
Never mind who it was. I still remember when airport security personnel were taught proper people handling skills until some bright spark found out it was cheaper to put up signs everywhere about not being able to even dare complain about anything lest it be considered "assaulting" them. This is what many died for in WWII; fighting state-run fascism. Sadly, these threatening notices at airports not only frustrate people even more but are one more rung on this ladder to a "heads we win, tails you lose" attitude in so-called modern "democracy".
Another thing altogether is the general lack of basic civility due to poor education, but it affects all sides and now it's the one with the uniform who can do what he/she likes. Disgusting.
Michael Martin-Morgan, Rosal, Spain
Why was she permitted to bring three bags into the cabin when the limit is two? Is it BA or her that cannot count?
Chris, Ashford, Middx, UK
BA and their lost luggage. How incompetent
Neil Atkinson, T Wells,
If she's guilty then put her in jail and throw away the key.
Chris, Ashford, Middx, UK
Why doesn't BA just ban her. Other airlines would follow suit. Then no travel equals end of career and end of problem.
Chris, Ashford, Middx, UK
Heard on the TV News that she spit in one cops face. That was the assault charge. This chick has a big problem with maintaining her manners. Time to straightened her out!! Lock her azz up!!!
nicademus, NY, USA
Naomi is not a common person, she does things not a common person would do and she is excused for that. Simple and this is how it works.
Giannis, Athens, Greece
What do you expect from an uneducated woman who just happend to have good genes. Class is not something you can buy or attain.
bastian, nyc, USA
Excellent! Naomi Campbell supermodel meets Terminal 5 super models wannabe. They have a spat, and it's all about handbags! Fact is funnier than fiction.
B.A. and B.A.A. are terminal cases; the long suffering public know that by experience.
Go on , Naomi: handbag them again. It's what we'd all like to do. Sorry about the temporary incarceration at the police station for you, though. Silver bracelets are so tacky. Still, it's cheaper than wandering around Terminal 5, spending money in their shops while waiting for a postponed flight.
Quids in, dahlink! Fab for the lucrative bad girl image too :-) Mwah!
cyndi, london,
Its simple - if you were a police officer who would you rather arrest and interview (i) an attractive model causing a minor disruption or (ii) drug-fuelled knife wielding robber?
Damian, London,
If she talks like a punk, acts like a punk and she is a punk.
If I am on BA , I do hope she isn't.
Frank Madigan, Capreol, Canada
Give the woman tranquilisers and be done with it.
Jackie, London, England
I can't help thinking the police had good PR excercise in the back of their minds when this arrest was made.
I suspect the arresting officers will be pleased to be able to say, "yes, I arrested Naomi Campell in the first class lounge." The more senior officers love it because it shows nobody, despite their celebrity status, is above the law.
I'd be intersted to know how many officers rushed to the first class lounge when BA made the urgent call for help to calm a passenger who lost their bag?
When I lived in the UK and called the police for help on a Friday or Saturday nights becuae of far more serious things than an annoyed customer I was often put on hold for 10-15 minutes. I don't understand the priorities of the Met Police in their allocation of resources.
Greg, Sydney, Oz
OOPS, she's done it again! This woman ranks right up there with Paris Hilton & Britney Spears in attention grabbing selfishness and childish immaturity.
Derek ADAMS, Pattaya Beach, Thailand
Who does she think she is?
Joan Collins?
Robert Henry, London, UK
Being a regular in "First Class" between Los Angeles and Heathrow and Gatwick, I can guarantee that the class of passage has absolutely nothing remotely to do with the class of the person! I have witnessed and victimized by far more arrogantly snotty behaviour in the front of the aircraft than I ever saw in the back!
(Airlines are too tolerant of ALL passengers!!!! When was the last time anyone saw a passenger asked to put gargantuan "hand luggage" in one of those "maximum size bins" by the podium?)
Bob Evans, Anaheim, California
Come on let give the girl a break! She was late for a flight and lost it. Lets face it flying is very stressfull. I am just suprised that with all the secrurity checks and lines for passport control that this isn't a daily occurance.
Lorenzo Wanczyk, Ann Arbor, US
The B*tch is habitual and should be treated like any one else she counts on her celebrity status , and she figures that the rest of us as little people
chris, Altamonte Springs, Florida
It is now time that she was locked up inJail for a year to show her we will not tolerate her or others who behave so. She has got away with her thuggish behaviour for too long. She an other "celebs" need to be shown that they are not above the law, trouble is, Labour politicians are so busy inviting them to their grace and favour homes at the public's expense that they forget to ensure that they are dealt with when they are violent like this. Joe public would be given a custoial sentence immediately. Come on Gordon, it is not rocket science! but then again you are a bit busy trying to save the sinking ship.
CM, Lonon, London
so immature, petty and unnecessary stuff like this is what delays my flights?
and there's me blaming ba - silly me
imaad, bradford, uk
"Community service and medical bills for assaulting a housekeeper?? Is that justice?? Here in America, we at least put Paris Hilton in jail......and she hasn't committed a crime since!!! "
To Joseph Benko from CA,
It was a New York Court Judge that sentenced her to only community and medical bills, not a British one as the incident tokk place in the USA! Anyway, healthcare is free in the UK so there wouldn't be any medical bills.
Brit in New York, New York,
In my view, any one with a first class ticket is bound to feel furious if there is baggage mishandling, even if it is hand luggage. Imagine the plight then of those 28,000 misplaced baggage owners who have just learnt that their baggage is in Milan- they've put up with it . At least she gave vent to the unexpressed rage of those thousands!
Roopa, Geneva,
Where has the last poster been in recent years :)
The UK is now full of people with attitude. They are spoiling the country, for those still silly enough to stay.
Mark Walker, Barcelona, Spain
The spokesman refused tell the age of a 37 year old woman?
Marek Olsiewicz, Ipswich, England
Once a chav always a chav. Money can't buy you class.
Bob, Basildon, Essex
Clearly community service has failed and she's not learned her lesson after being forced to clean the streets so lock her up. I'm sure the world can live without her for a while.
Jason, London, UK
This is what happens when people with no apparant talent or obvious virtues become so called 'celebities' wiLst others faun over them and cater to their every caprice. She should be sent back to the checkout at TESCOS.
David, London,
"Is she English ? Or has she been in the US for too long . "
Are you English, or are you just an ass?
Byron, Barcelona, Spain
Jail her, give her what she's due. Stil fit though.....
Ian, Glasgow,
Community service and medical bills for assaulting a housekeeper?? Is that justice?? Here in America, we at least put Paris Hilton in jail......and she hasn't committed a crime since!!! Except for her acting career!!! Keep Naomi in jail!!
Joseph Benko, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Nick Dixon,
The article gives the impression that Campbell herself mislaid one (out of three) items of hand luggage, so BA shouldn't have to compensate passengers for the delay, only Campbell herself.
Michael Morgan,
(Same as above regarding her bag) and plus, whilst I'm sure the press will go to town on this incident as she's a supermodel, Campbell's behaviour is not without precedent. A longer course in anger management might be the best course of action. Just like a longer spell in rehab and more real support would have helped Britney.
Ella, London,
Too many show business people - so called celebrities + luminaries - think they are a king or queen that every one else has to KOWTOW. The sooner to get rid off these "waving-hand + walk on red carpet" who only desire all adulation without any opposition, the society would be more at peace to live in.
A.S., Birmingha, UK
This woman is nothing more than a yob. She acts like a 2 year old whenever she can't get her own way. I wouldn't blame any airline for refusing to transport this woman anywhere.
gil, bristol, england
It was hand luggage. She lost it herself
Rachel, Wales,
Duh, reread the post. It says that she misplaced the bag. Ba is not responsible for it. Campbell should have to pay for everything
Elvia , Marrero , Louisiana
Seconds away, round one....
John, London,
Its obvious Ms. Campbell, along with so many other so-called celebs, buy into their fame and believe their good press.
You media guys put her on her pedestal, you can also remove her from it. Supermodel indeed!
David Lowe, Cape Town , S.A.
where do I apply to be assaulted by Naomi ?
Ed , London, England
Leave Naomi alone, you all must to see her end up like Britney Spears! Where is her bag, BA should be more responsible and I am sure the situation was blown way out of proportion being it was Naomi Campbell!
Michael Morgan, New York, New York
Could someone please explain why Murad Ahmed says that the spokesperson refused to give the name or age of the person removed from the airport but quotes him as saying it was a 37 year old woman?
Sloppy.
John, London, UK
I am a shrink. let her give me a call.
Maurits Kalff, Cape Town, South Africa
Why do these over publicised so called celebs get off thinking they are so important and people have to put up with childish tantrums each time they don`t get there own way. BA should ban her from the airline totally. She should now pay her easy earned money in compensation to the delayed passengers as well. She also needs to claim a refund on her anger management classes she took.
KW, Wirral, UK
Mink coats and no manners...
Alex, Brixton, England
Is she English ? Or has she been in the US for too long .
BA and Campbell should be forced to compensate the passengers for the delayed departure . BA for losing her bag and Campbell for being Campbell.
Nick Dixon, Sutton Coldfield, England