Fireman Sam creator detained at airport for scarf comment
David Jones, creator of Fireman Sam, was questioned after quip about airport security
The creator of children’s classic Fireman Sam, David Jones, was stopped as he passed through airport security at Gatwick after making a comment about his scarf, which a security guard found offensive.
As ex-fireman David placed his scarf and other belongings nto a tray to pass through the X-ray scanner, he said to an airport official, “If I was wearing this scarf over my face, I wonder what would happen.”
David’s remark came after a Muslim passenger ahead of him – who had her face almost completely covered by a hijab – passed through security without showing her face.
When David went to collect his items he was told he was being taken for questioning because of his remark.
The Fireman Sam creator told the Daily Mail, “What I said had nothing to do with the woman’s religion. It was the fact that her face was covered and she seemed to have passed through that part of the security process without showing it."
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The matter was eventually resolved when David agreed his remarks “could” have been regarded as offensive.
Department for Transport rules do not prevent people covering their faces at airports for religious reasons, although all passengers must show their faces to UK Border officials at passport control.
Former fireman David came up the idea of Fireman Sam with fellow firefighter Dave Gingell when they worked together at a London firestation.
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