LONDON // Prime minister David Cameron’s office says he will look into a lawmaker’s claim that US officials prevented a British Muslim family from flying to Disneyland for a planned holiday.
Stella Creasy, a member of the opposition Labour Party, says US officials gave no explanation for refusing to allow her constituents to board a flight from Gatwick Airport on December 15. She told The Guardian newspaper this is part of a larger pattern affecting British Muslims, and that a lack of information from US officials is sparking resentment among Muslims who feel discriminated against.
The issue is sensitive in part because US presidential contender Donald Trump has called for a temporary ban on Muslims visiting the US due to concerns about extremist attacks.
Ms Creasy’s office said on Wednesday that she had written to Mr Cameron seeking his intervention. She complained that officials who kept the family — two brothers and their nine children — from boarding provided no information and said she had hit “a brick wall” seeking information about the case.
She said there is “growing fear” among British Muslims that aspects of Mr Trump’s plans are coming into practice even though they have been widely condemned and warned that some Muslims believe the public condemnation of Mr Trump’s position “contrasts with what is going on in practice.”
Talha Ahmad, a spokesman with the Muslim Council of Britain, told Sky News the denial of boarding privileges is “very, very worrying” because it is part of a pattern.
“It seems like it’s not a unique or isolated incident,” he said, asserting that Muslims are often singled out.
Mr Cameron’s office said he would investigate the matter. He had earlier characterised Trump’s policy as “divisive and wrong.”
US Embassy officials declined to comment on Wednesday.
* Associated Press
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