Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

British tourists confront UK ambassador about why they're still stranded in Egypt

John Casson struggles to get his words out

Jon Stone
Friday 06 November 2015 08:01 EST
Comments
John Casson, the British Ambassador to Egypt
John Casson, the British Ambassador to Egypt (ABC news)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Video footage shows British tourists angrily accosting the UK’s ambassador to Egypt over why they are still stranded at Sharm el-Sheikh airport.

The British and Egyptian governments are engaged in a dispute over flights to bring British tourists home after the UK suspended flights from the UK to Egypt amid security fears.

Hundreds of British tourists are stranded at Sharm el-Sheikh airport, which serves a popular tourist destination, and have been told not to leave.

“People have got on and gone home so why can’t we? Why have they gone and we haven’t?” a British woman is seen to tell the UK ambassador John Casson.

“We’ve been told the planes can’t land. We’ve been told the Egyptian government are arguing with David Cameron and he’s not letting any planes land. We want to go home.”

The ambassador is seen struggling to get his words out in the face of the criticism.

The footage was shown by an ABC News reporter at the scene.

UK flights are reportedly being shown on the departure board at the airport but hundreds of tourists say they are still stranded.

The EasyJet airline,which serves the route, says Egyptian authorities are restricting the number of rescue flights allowed for British tourists.

The move comes after the UK restricted flights from the UK to Egypt amid security concerns. The British Government says it suspects a Russian plane brought down over Egypt was taken down by a bomb in the hold.

Other countries have not suspended flights to Egypt and the Egyptian government has accused the UK of overreacting.

The Department for Transport said it was urgently working with the Egyptian authorities to try to ensure planned flights leave.

“Travellers should keep in contact with their tour operators and shouldn't leave for the airport until they have a confirmed flight.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in