Penning a blog entitled 'San Francisco International Airport' on his True To You Zine, the 56-year-old singer claims he was sexually assaulted on Monday of this week. He was attempting to board a British Airways flight to London when he says the following happened...
"At 2:30 in the afternoon 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. He quickly moved away as an older 'airport security officer' approached."
When it was suggested by British Airways Special Services that he lodge a complaint, Morrissey said: "I filed the appropriate information. However, before doing so, the guilty 'officer' was confronted..."
And, as confrontations go, it didn't go well... "Apart from 'that's just your opinion,' he would not comment, even though, since the penis and testicles were mine and no one else's, then my opinion must surely have some meaning... But, of course, what the airport security officer was saying was: your opinion will never count in the eyes of the law. The words 'that's just your opinion' volunteered themselves from this 'officer's' mouth before he had even heard the question. He knew he could be confronted, but he also knew that he could never be challenged... 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."
A statement regarding the alleged incident was issued via the Transportation Security Administration, and reads: "Upon review of closed circuit TV footage, TSA determined that the supervised officer followed standard operating procedures in the screening of this individual."
