Cops quiz pensioner over racist air rant
But vile OAP refuses to say sorry
POLICE have quizzed a man filmed spouting vile racist abuse at an elderly black woman on a holiday jet.
David Mesher, 70, called Delsie Gayle, 77, an “ugly black b ***** d” and an “ugly f***ing c***” before lift-off in Barcelona.
Footage of last week’s outburst sparked outrage after it went viral – with Prime Minister Theresa
May calling it “abhorrent”.
And yesterday, two West Midlands Police officers spent just under an hour speaking to Mesher at his Birmingham retirement flat. The force said it was assisting Essex Police, which launched the probe because the jet landed at Stansted last Friday.
When confronted by the Mirror earlier in the day, former railway ticket office worker Mesher had refused to apologise, shouting: “Go away or I’ll call the police.”
Essex Police said they were contacted about a “racially aggravated incident” on Ryanair flight FR015, adding: “We will be conducting an investigation to submit to the Spanish authorities.” Mesher’s neighbours described him as “loner”. One resident said: “He’s always inside his room on the computer and doesn’t socialise.
“A few of us saw the footage on the plane and recognised him. It’s not surprising. He’s not a nice chap. He’s been in his room ever since it blew up.”
Housing provider Optivo said it does “not condone abusive behaviour”. But it added: “As this matter is being handled by the police we are unable to make any further comment.”
Delsie, a member of the Windrush generation from Leyton, East London, said of the incident: “I feel really depressed about it.”
The jet was still on the ground at Barcelona when the footage was filmed.
Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, has branded Mesher a “shameless, rude racist” and vowed to help bring him to justice.
She also savaged Ryanair for moving Delsie to another seat instead of giving Mesher to police. A petition calling for Ryanair to apologise and compensate Delsie has 220,000 signatures.