Manchester Airport chief defends body scanner

Article published: Friday, July 23rd 2010

Outgoing Manchester Airport chief executive Geoff Muirhead has got behind the introduction of the controversial ‘naked’ x-ray body scanners in Manchester Airport despite fears of passenger privacy concerns from civil rights groups.

In a recent presentation to students at Manchester Business school, Murhair defended the scanners, saying: “Security is intrusive by definition and you’ve got to be aware of sensitivities, but you’ve got to get the balance right”.

Among the objections to the scanners is the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) which attests that the scanners are a breach of privacy. The guidelines for the scanners have already had to be changed due to allegations that the images produced would breach child protection laws, including The Protection of Children Act 1978, under which it is illegal to create an indecent image or “pseudo-image” of a child. As a result of this, under 18s are now exempt from the screening.

Muirhead dismissed such concerns, saying: “There are many people of different faiths who have told me that, properly done, a body scanner is better than the physical contact they get on a pat-down. That tells me we’re doing something right.”

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