Brown praise for Glasgow airport 'hero'

Friday, 3 August 2007 12:00 AM

Gordon Brown has paid tribute to the Glasgow airport "hero".

The prime minister met with John Smeaton, the baggage handler who wrestled the Glasgow terror suspects on June 30.

Mr Brown thanked Mr Smeaton for his actions, describing him as a very brave and very courageous man.

"I think the whole country owes John a debt of gratitude," Mr Brown said. "He is a hero and we are proud of him".

The prime minister asked to meet with Mr Smeaton after he heard he was in London to appear on television.

Mr Smeaton has become something of a national hero since the foiled terrorist attack and a website has been set up in his honour - and with the mission to buy him 4,000 pints of beer.

The 31-year-old baggage handler helped police in tackling the two terror suspects after they emerged from the flaming jeep at the airport terminal.

After the attack Mr Smeaton explained: "This is Glasgow, you know - we'll set about you. That's it."

Mr Brown praised his actions: "John did not wait to act; he immediately went to help; he put his own life at risk. And all the time you were thinking of the women and children in the airport.

"These acts of heroism are already recognised by the people of this country."

Mr Smeaton said he was "honoured, humbled and bewildered" by the meeting. He described Mr Brown as a "nice man, a true gentleman".

Hours after the two men met, Kafeel Ahmed, the driver of the jeep, died from his injuries.

The 27-year-old, originally from Bangalore, India, suffered 90 per cent burns in the failed attack nearly seven weeks ago.

He was arrested at the scene along with Bilal Abdullah for conspiracy to cause explosions.

Tags:
• crime
,
• domestic policy
,
• policing and crime
,
• terrorism