Applause for Airport Hero

Standing ovation

http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=1005  

The prime minister used part of his Labour Party conference speech to praise the airport baggage handler who restrained a terror suspect.

John Smeaton accepted the applause of the Bournemouth crowd after Gordon Brown highlighted his heroic efforts.

The 31-year-old shot to fame after helping police tackle a man who drove a jeep into Glasgow’s terminal building.

Mr Smeaton had already met Mr Brown at Downing Street and been praised by First Minister Alex Salmond.

Mention of Mr Smeaton came at the start of Mr Brown’s first conference address as prime minister.

The prime minister said the resilience of the British people had been “powerful proof of the character of our country”. Mr Brown went on: “When the terrorists tried to attack Scotland’s biggest airport, they were answered by the courage of the police and of the fire fighters and a baggage handler named John Smeaton.

“He came to the aid of a policeman under assault from one of the terrorists.

“Later John told me it was instinctive, he was just doing what was right.

“That man, that hero, John Smeaton, is here with us today and on behalf of our country we thank you.”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7010809.stm

2007-09-24