Naomi says sorry

2008-06-21 14:24

London - British supermodel Naomi Campbell, fined and told to do community service after flying into a rage on a US-bound flight, apologised to police for her behaviour in an interview broadcast on Saturday.

But the 38-year-old, who admitted kicking and spitting at the officers in a foul-mouthed tantrum as they tried to eject her from the flight following a row over lost luggage, refused to say sorry to the British Airways crew.

"I was called a racial name on that flight and that was part of my reaction - again, nothing to do with the police, but yes, from British Airways," she told Sky News television.

Campbell on Friday admitted three charges of assaulting a police officer and three other charges against BA staff in connection with the incident on the tarmac at London's Heathrow airport on April 3.

She could have faced up to six months in jail and a maximum £5 000 fine on each of the assault charges, but magistrates instead gave her 200 hours' community service and fined her £2 300.

She was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to each of the two officers involved and £150 to the captain of the Los Angeles-bound flight, all of whom she accused of targeting her because she was black.

Campbell became irate after being told one of her bags containing an Yves Saint Laurent outfit she was contracted to wear on a US chat show had not been loaded onto the plane.

The first two weeks of opening at the new Terminal 5 building saw hundreds of flights cancelled and tens of thousands of bags mislaid because of luggage-handling problems.

Campbell said in the interview that she "took it too far" but added: "As for British Airways, I don't apologise.

"I just think they're disgusting because there are people still waiting for their luggage. I have travelled with them for many years and I just think they have been harsh."

In a statement to Sky News, BA denied 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."

- AFP