XPost: alt.law-enforcement, uk.politics.misc, alt.airports
XPost: sac.politics
The couple wrongly accused of the Gatwick drone chaos have spoken out
about their treatment at the hands of Sussex Police, saying they feel "completely violated".
Paul Gait, 47, and Elaine Kirk, 54, criticised the way officers searched
their home and revealed that they are receiving medical care after being arrested late on Friday evening.
Their statement came as Sussex Police faced growing criticism from
ministers, who accused them of “messing up” their handling of the Gatwick
drone incident, which caused travel misery for more than 140,000
passengers.
Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, chaired an hour-long call with ministers including Sajid Javid and David Lidington on Monday and the
first thing that was discussed were the “mistakes” made by Sussex Police,
a government source told the Telegraph.
The main criticism surrounded the police’s statement on Sunday that there
was a "possibility" that there might never have been a drone.
“They talked about how this was a mistake from the police,” the source
said. “The police know a crime was committed because they had over 200
reports of sightings of drones over Gatwick, and they had detailed 67 statements, including from police officers and staff at Gatwick airport.
“That is what they should have said - but they didn’t quite do it like
that.”
Speaking from outside their home in west Sussex, Mr Gait said: "As you can probably imagine, we're feeling completely violated.
Video grab taken from Sky News of Paul Gait and Elaine Kirk speaking
outside their home in Crawley, West Sussex.
Video grab taken from Sky News of Paul Gait and Elaine Kirk speaking
outside their home in Crawley, West Sussex. CREDIT: SKY NEWS/PA
"Our home has been searched and our privacy and identity completely
exposed. Our names, photos and other personal information have been
broadcast throughout the world.
"We are deeply distressed, as are our family and friends, and we are
currently receiving medical care.
"The way we were initially perceived was disgusting, although those who
knew us didn't doubt us for a second."
Sussex Police have come under fire from Cabinet ministers for the
handling of the Gatwick Drone attack
Sussex Police have come under fire from Cabinet ministers for the handling
of the Gatwick Drone attack CREDIT: PAUL GROVER
Sussex Police Detective Chief Superintendent, Jason Tingley, on Sunday
revealed that the force had received 67 calls from police officers,
airport staff and members of the public reporting drone sightings, but
said none of them had actually been confirmed.
Asked about speculation there was never a drone, he replied: "Of course,
that's a possibility. We are working with human beings saying they have
seen something."
His comments came after the force released window fitter, Paul Gait, 47,
and his wife, Elaine Kirk, 54, without charge after spending 36 hours in custody.
The pair were questioned for 36 hours after being arrested on Friday on suspicion of being behind what police had previously said was a
"deliberate act of disruption".
Ministers described the "possibility" comment as a “mess up”, according to
Sky News, and said the police “have not handled their communication
response well”.
During the call Mr Lidington, Theresa May’s de facto deputy, urged
colleagues to make it easier to authorise requests for military
assistance.
Mr Grayling briefed ministers on his plans to prevent copycat incidents.
He has been in talks with the chief executives of all other main airports
in the country.
Mr Grayling also described his talks with insurers, in which he has urged
them to pay out compensation for the disruption where it is meant to be
paid.
Security Minister Ben Wallace said on Monday night that the Government was "able to now deploy detection systems throughout the UK" to combat the
threat posed by drones.
"The huge proliferation of such devices, coupled with the challenges of deploying military counter measures into a civilian environment, means
there are no easy solutions," he said.
"However I can say that we are able to now deploy detection systems
throughout the UK to combat this threat."
He added: "Those people who chose to use drones either recklessly or for criminal purposes can expect the most severe sentence and jail time when caught."
The disruption at the UK’s second-biggest airport began at about 9pm on Wednesday and affected about 1,000 flights and ruined the travel plans of
more than 140,000 people.
More than 200 reports of drone sightings were made and police took 67 statements, including from police officers and airport workers.
A spokesman for Gatwick said: "There were multiple confirmed sightings of
drone activity at the airport".
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/12/24/ministers-accuse-sussex- police-messing-gatwick-drone-investigation/
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