Morrissey alleges he was ‘sexually assaulted’ by airport security during pat-down
Morrissey (Getty Images)
Morrissey has alleged that he was sexually assaulted by a security worker at San Francisco International airport, complaining he was “groped” during a routine pat-down.
The Smiths frontman took to a Morrissey fansite to complain about the incident, which occured as he was catching a flight back to London.
He claimed: “I went through the usual airport security procedure including the stand-up ‘scanner’, and all was well – no bleeps and nothing unusual.
“Before I could gather my belongings from the usual array of trays I was approached by an ‘airport security officer’ who stopped me, crouched before me and groped my penis and testicles.”
“The officer who sexually assaulted me was identified as the General Manager On Duty. Luckily I was accompanied by two members of British Airways Special Services, who were horrified at the sexual attack and suggested that I lodge a complaint.”
However, he claims that the officer denied all wrong-doing.
Morrissey added: “In the interests of imperishable bureaucracy my submitted complaint against this ‘officer’ will obviously be either unread or ignored because, as we all know, on matters of officialism it is not possible to be pleasantly surprised by anything at all.
“However, what is clear is that, should you find yourself traveling through San Francisco International Airport, you should expect sexual abuse from the so-called ‘security officers’ who, we are unconvincingly warned, are acting only for our security.”
The Transport Security Administration says it has reviewed the footage, and the singer was in fact subjected to a routine pat down.
A statement says: “TSA takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and strives to treat every passenger with dignity and respect.
“Upon review of closed circuit TV footage, TSA determined that the supervised officer followed standard operating procedures in the screening of this individual.”
