No Scan, No Fly

Muslim women who refused to take 'naked' full-body scan are barred from Manchester to Pakistan flight

A Muslim woman was barred from boarding a flight to Pakistan after refusing to go through a new 'naked' full-body scanner at Manchester Airport on religious grounds.

Her companion also declined to be scanned for 'medical reasons'.

The women were travelling together to Islamabad when they were selected to pass through the controversial security screen after checking-in at Terminal Two at the airport.

An estimated 15,000 people have already passed through the scanners, with the pair the first passengers to refuse a scan.

Both told airport staff they were not willing to be scanned. They were warned they would not be allowed to board the Pakistan International Airlines flight if they refused.

The pair decided they would rather forfeit their £400 tickets and left the airport with their luggage.

The £80,000 scanners were introduced at Heathrow and Manchester airports on February 5.

The X-ray machines allow security staff to see a 'naked' image of passengers to show up hidden weapons and explosives, but it has attracted criticism for also showing clear outlines of passengers' genitals.

Manchester Airport confirmed the passengers had refused to be scanned but said it had received no complaint from the women.

However, civil liberties campaigners say the incident could form the basis of a legal test case to challenge the use of the Rapiscan device in airports.

Alex Deane, director of campaign group Big Brother Watch, said the organisation would represent the women if they wished to challenge the decision in court.

He said: 'People shouldn't have to sacrifice their health, their faith, their dignity, or their privacy in order to fly.

And people should not have to sacrifice their safety, indeed their very lives because some Muslims refuse to be scanned.

Simple, no scan, no fly. Now watch for the compensation and legal BS that will paid for by the taxpayer.