Extracted from The Manchester Evening News 28-09-2001
Cop Jokes " I've got a bomb"
A POLICE officer caused a security alert at Manchester Airport and was barred from a holiday jet after joking that he had a bomb in his luggage.
Inspector John Orr was told he would not be allowed on the plane after the ''flippant and insensitive'' comment to security staff.
Today, the motorway patrol officer, who has served in Greater Manchester for 28 years, is under investigation by the force.
Airport bosses have branded Insp Orr ''irresponsible'', while a police colleague described his remarks as ''unbelievable'' in light of the terrorist attacks on America.
Police were called to Ringway's Terminal 2 on Tuesday night by a security guard amid claims that Insp Orr, who was heading to Crete with his wife, made a remark about a bomb.
Staff later told bosses that he said: ''I have a bomb in my bag.''
Apology
He apologised for the joke, but was not allowed on the Excel Airways flight to Heraklion.
It is believed the incident occurred at 8.45pm when the officer, a father in his mid-40s, had a verbal exchange with a security guard who found a small penknife when checking his hand-luggage.
It is unlikely that Insp Orr, based at Birch Services near Oldham on the M62, will be charged with a criminal offence, but he could face disciplinary action.
A Ringway insider said: ''He made a flippant and insensitive remark about a bomb. In the current climate it was sheer madness.''
An airport spokeswoman said: ''It is highly irresponsible for anyone to make threats about security while going through airport procedures and, in certain circumstances, false statements about luggage can constitute an offence.''
She added: ''Any remark made by a passenger which suggests a threat to security at the airport is taken seriously.''
Senior officers - said to be furious at the incident - have now been called in to investigate the allegations, which come amid heightened security at Ringway. Last night there was no reply at Insp Orr's home in Tameside.
A senior police officer said: ''It is unbelievable that anyone could find such a remark funny after the terrible tragedy in America.''
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed: ''An investigation has been launched.''
stupid fool!!