Prince Andrew has been accused of arrogance after refusing to go through an airport security check. He was prevented from boarding a Qantas jet to New Zealand because he would not be screened by guards at Melbourne Airport. After a tense stand-off, he reluctantly agreed to be searched with a hand detector.
This incident just shows what is wrong with the West's response to the WOT. We have known knowns and known unknowns, to paraphrase Rumsfeld, and Prince Andrew is not a known unknown. so we have the stupid situation where scarce resourses are being wasted on unnecessary searches like 90 year old grand-mothers, because we don't want to appear politically incorrect by "profiling", which good policing methods dictates. However if it was his bro "Bigears" there would be a case for screening.
Airport and security officials expressed surprise at the Prince's actions. They believed he would have understood the importance of security in the wake of the London bombings. A Group 4 security worker at the airport said: "Who does he think he is? What a pompous p----. Everyone has to go through security screening. He should be happy to do so." Officials said last Wednesday's incident showed no one was exempt from Australia's airport security procedures. It followed a minor diplomatic incident in March, when Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Michael Somare was required to remove his shoes for a security check at Brisbane Airport. Anti-monarchists have had a field day with the latest incident. Australian Republican Movement spokesman Rod Kendall said: "We love stories like this. It highlights how the royal family think they are different from the rest of us. The law is the law, no matter who you are.
Prince Andrew, nicknamed Air Miles Andy for his love of travel freebies, was on a private trip to Melbourne where he attended the opening of a global conference on schools. He was about to leave for a four-day official tour of New Zealand when officials met him at a special gate at Melbourne Airport and told him he needed to pass a security check. He refused. A source said: "There was a bit of consternation on both sides. Managers and security were called and it was suggested to the Prince that he sit down in the next room and think about it for a while. "He was told he would not be allowed to board the flight unless he agreed to be screened because it was the law. Eventually he reluctantly agreed." A Melbourne Airport spokesman confirmed a short delay in the Prince boarding the plane because of a security incident. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "We don't make any comment about security matters."
Prince Andrew left New Zealand on Sunday night. |