An MP was prevented from boarding a flight to Canada along with fellow parliamentarians due to his name being Mohammad, the Commons heard on Monday (23).
Labour MP for Bedford, Mohammad Yasin, faced “humiliating” treatment while attempting to board a flight to Canada as part of a parliamentary delegation, the BBC reported.
Air Canada officials at Heathrow Airport subjected him to intensive questioning, specifically inquiring about his possession of offensive weapons due to his name being Mohammad.
The situation was raised as a point of order by fellow MP Clive Betts in the House of Commons, condemning the racist and Islamophobic behaviour.
Mohammad was eventually allowed to board after proving his identity as an MP and presenting a valid visa.
The incident has sparked outrage, prompting Air Canada to internally investigate the matter. Mohammad, expressing his concerns, emphasised the aggressive nature of the questioning and stressed the need for fair treatment regardless of one's status.
Speaking about the incident Mohammad said, "It was stressful and humiliating to be singled out in such an aggressive way by immigration control, especially when travelling in a group as a representative of the British Parliament on long arranged committee business.
"While I don't expect special treatment as a Member of Parliament, it does concern me that had I not been an MP, how much worse the experience might have been," he said.
Betts reported that similar problems arose when Mohammed reached Montreal airport in Canada and during his return journey to the UK.
A spokesperson from Air Canada said that Mohammed underwent additional screening before his flight due to a security check, but he was quickly cleared and allowed to travel as scheduled.
The airline is internally reviewing the handling of the situation to ensure proper procedures were followed. They have also been in touch with authorities in the UK and Canada.
Additionally, the spokesperson expressed regret for any inconvenience or upset caused to Mohammed and extended an apology.
Mohammed has expressed his gratitude for the cross-party support he received from Parliament, the chair of the Levelling Up Committee, and the Commons speaker. He said that he is willing to accept the invitation from the Canadian High Commission to further discuss his experience.
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During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)