Gatwick airport disruption: Couple arrested and released over travel chaos say they feel 'completely violated' and are 'receiving medical care'

Ella Wills24 December 2018

A couple arrested over the drone disruption at Gatwick airport and later released without charge have told how they feel "completely violated" by the experience.

Paul Gait and Elaine Kirk were arrested and released without charge after two nights in custody following the chaos at the UK's second biggest airport in the run up to Christmas.

Speaking outside their home in Crawley, West Sussex, an emotional Mr Gait told Sky News that they are "deeply distressed" and are receiving medical care.

The couple questioned by police over the drone disruption at Gatwick Airport have said they feel "completely violated" by the experience
PA

Mr Gait told reporters on Monday afternoon: "As you can probably imagine we are feeling completely violated.

"Our home has been searched and our privacy and identity completely exposed.

"Our names, photos and other personal information have been broadcast throughout the world."

Gatwick chaos - In pictures

1/21

On Sunday, the couple were arrested in connection with the inquiry into scores of drones sightings that led to the closure of the airport for three days and caused massive disruption to passengers.

They were later released without charged after officers said they were no longer suspects.

Speaking to reporters outside his home in Crawley, Mr Gait said he and Ms Kirk would try and get through Christmas "as best we can".

"The way we were initially perceived was disgusting, although those that know us didn't doubt us for a second," he said.

An EasyJet plane lands at Gatwick airport, which was closed for three days after drones were spotted over the airfield
PA

"Post release without charge or further action, we are totally overwhelmed by the support we have received from the people from all over the world and we would like to thank every single one that has done that."

Mr Gait appealed for privacy and said they would "try and get through Christmas as best we can".

It comes amid growing criticism of the handling of the investigation by Sussex Police.

On Monday, police played down suggestions that there may never have been any drones at the West Sussex airport, saying they were down to "poor communications".

Counter drone equipment deployed on a rooftop at Gatwick airport
PA

A senior detective had said it was a "possibility" that there may never have been any drones in the area, despite scores of reported sightings.

Ministers have been briefed on the latest situation at the airport in a conference call, during which a Government source said police had accepted that the claim was down to "poor communications".

Sussex Police have denied that the hunt for the perpetrators was "back to square one" following the release of the 47-year-old man and the 54-year-old woman, from Crawley, close to the airport.

The pair were originally arrested and their home searched following a tip-off from a member of the public.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley said on Sunday that there were some "persons of interest" but would not reveal if police were close to making any further arrests.

"We are interviewing those who have reported these sightings, are carrying out extensive house-to-house inquiries and carrying out a forensic examination of a damaged drone found near the perimeter of the airport near Horley, which is close to the last reported sighting," he said.

Around 1,000 flights affecting some 140,000 passengers were cancelled or diverted across three days after drones were spotted inside the perimeter of the UK's second biggest airport on Wednesday.

Gatwick has offered a £50,000 reward, through Crimestoppers, and another £10,000 has been put up by the charity's chairman, Lord Ashcroft, for the arrest of those responsible for the chaos

Mr Tingley warned police could not rule out the risk the culprits would strike again at Gatwick or another airport.

"Someone, somewhere knows either the perpetrator or perpetrators responsible for this, or has information relating to these incidents," he said.

"Our tactical response, should there be any more drone sightings, is still in place."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

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

MORE ABOUT