[Infowarrior] - UK Minister detained at Dulles airport

[Richard Forno]

 Minister detained at US airport

Britain's first Muslim minister, Shahid Malik, says he is "deeply
disappointed" that he was detained by airport security officials in America.

The international development minister was stopped and searched at
Washington DC's Dulles airport after a series of meetings on tackling
terrorism.

Mr Malik, MP for Dewsbury, West Yorks, had his hand luggage checked for
explosives when returning to Heathrow.

He said the same thing happened to him at JFK airport in New York last year.

On that occasion he had been a keynote speaker at an event organised by the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alongside the FBI and Muslim
organisations, to talk about tackling extremism and defeating terrorism.

'Respect needed'

Mr Malik said he had received numerous apologies and assurances from the US
authorities after that incident.

But he was again searched and detained by DHS officials on Sunday.

Mr Malik said two other Muslims were also detained.

"I am deeply disappointed," he said.

"The abusive attitude I endured last November I forgot about and I forgave,
but I really do believe that British ministers and parliamentarians should
be afforded the same respect and dignity at USA airports that we would
bestow upon our colleagues in the Senate and Congress.

"Obviously, there was no malice involved but it has to be said that the USA
system does not inspire confidence."

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Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7066944.stm

Published: 2007/10/29 08:52:11 GMT

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