BA rejects Naomi racism claims

British Airways (BA) has rejected claims of racism from Naomi Campbell.

The supermodel was sentenced to 200 hours' community service after admitting spitting and kicking at two police officers and screaming four-letter abuse at staff on a BA flight.

Speaking after her court appearance, Campbell, 38, apologised to the Metropolitan Police but added: "As for British Airways, I just think they are disgusting."

She added: "I was called a racial name on that flight and that was part of my reaction.

"I was called a 'Golliwog supermodel' -- I don't think that's really fair, do you?"

BA said in a statement: "British Airways does not accept any allegations of racism. We are proud of our diversity. We have strict policies concerning dignity at work and have long-standing training programmes on diversity and inclusion."

Neither Campbell nor her lawyers mentioned racist comments during her court case.

She pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court in west London to two counts of assaulting a police officer, one count of disorderly conduct likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and using threatening, abusive words or behaviour to cabin crew.

Campbell was on a flight bound for Los Angeles on April 3 this year when she was told her luggage had been mislaid in the confusion surrounding the opening of Heathrow Terminal 5.

The model ordered the aircraft's captain Miles Sutherland to find her luggage, swearing at him.

She swore, spat and kicked at two police constables who boarded the plane in an effort to get her to leave.

Magistrates ordered her to pay £200 compensation to each of the officers and £150 to Capt Sutherland as well as fines totalling £2,300 with a £15 surcharge.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

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