« Electronic NHS records: security concerns | Main | Barnett: "we still don't have an agency that concentrates on getting postwars correct?" »
January 12, 2009
Remarkably ill-advised PR from BAA
The Guardian reports a shocking piece of PR from BAA:
Politicians are accusing BAA, Britain's largest airport operator, of "bullying" after it sent a warning letter to those due to take part in a mass protest at Heathrow tomorrow.John McDonnell MP and Caroline Lucas MEP say they were outraged to be sent such a thinly disguised threat. The letter said: "While we respect people's right to protest, we also have a duty to ensure that thousands of passengers can go about their lawful business within our airport on that day.
"You should be aware that the planned protest coincides with a scheduled El Al departure, during which armed Metropolitan Police officers will be patrolling the terminal. Given the current situation in the Middle East, it is vital that protesters do not put themselves at risk within the terminal."
The letter, sent by Terry Morgan, BBA director of standards and assurances, went on: "As an elected representative, I have no doubt that you will have sought assurances that the protest will be a peaceful one, and that you are keen to avoid any unnecessary disruption or danger to our passengers, protesters or your own constituents."
It is bizarre that anyone involved in PR would believe that contacting public figures in such a crude way was a good idea. Predictably, there was a backlash:
Dr Lucas, MEP for the South East and Green Party leader, said the letter was "clearly designed to intimidate". "It's outrageous that, in its efforts to try to prevent a legal, peaceful protest, BAA is using veiled threats about the lengths the police will go to," she said."This is an outrageous abuse of BAA's position. It should not be taking it upon itself to speak or act in the name of the police," she added. "This is bullying of the most unpleasant kind."
Tomorrow's protest comes in the week the government is expected to announce its decision on a third runway at Heathrow. Organised by Climate Rush, the protest has been publicised as "a peaceful picnic", during which protesters will debate expansion while "keeping the pathways clear for everyone and ensure no one trips on our dinner party accoutrement".
I hope would hope that BAA will also receive a more official rebuke for their attempts to use the presence of armed police in this way. Despite some tragic mistakes in the past, I do not believe that armed British police would be prepared to fire on peaceful protesters, or that their superiors in the police service would order them to do so. It is completely inappropriate for BAA to try to use the presence of armed police in this way. Hopefully, this will - publicly - be made clear, both to BAA and to those involved in the protest.
Posted by jon_mendel at January 12, 2009 12:19 AM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.watsonblogs.org/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1648
