Following discussions with the Gurdwara in Hounslow, Mary Macleod, Member of Parliament for Brentford and Isleworth, has written to the Minister for Transport in order to clarify the Government’s position on the searching of men wearing turbans.

The Government has introduced new procedures for screening religious headgear, which particularly affect Sikh men wearing turbans – considered sacred in the Sikh religion.  Since June last year, officials from the Department for Transport have been engaging with the Sikh community about alternatives to hand-search for use with religious headgear.  This has led to the establishment of a European Commission-approved trial of alternative methods for screening headgear.  The trial uses hand-held metal detectors and explosive trace detection and is underway at a number of UK airports who have volunteered to participate.

Mary spoke in a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament this week about this issue, highlighting that it would be good for all airports to be involved.

Mary commented:  “I fully recognise the sensitivities involved in implementing the new procedures for screening religious headgear and do not underestimate the importance of this issue to my Sikh constituents.  I would like to assure them that the engagement and discussion with the Sikh community will continue and that the Government will continue to work to find the right solution to this issue.  If this trial is successful, I hope that it will be rolled out to cover all UK airports.”