Your Black World: Black Air Passenger Wins Lawsuit After Discrimination

Cedric Stewart, 45, said he was "humiliated' by airport workers who unpacked his bags in front of dozens of other passengers.

He believes he was singled out because he was the only non-white flyer on the Continental Airlines flight to New York.

Mr Stewart launched legal action against security firm International Consultants on Targeted Security, which is hired by Continental to vet passengers, and has now received an out-of-court settlement.

The Jamaican-born car valetor said: "I was treated like a common criminal for absolutely no reason at all.

"There were nearly 40 people in the airport queue that day and the only difference between us was that I was black and everyone else was white.

"That is clearly wrong. Nobody should be have to face prejudice of any kind regardless of their country of origin or the colour of their skin.

"Hopefully the company will now make changes and they will make sure they don't have to pay out another £4,000 to someone else out there."

Mr Stewart and a friend were flying to New York from Bristol in September 2006 when a security officer approached them at check-in and quizzed them about the details of their trip.

Mr Stewart claimed he was asked to produce personal documentation including his passport, driving licence and credit card before being allowed to re-join the queue.

But after checking in he was pulled aside again and had his hand luggage emptied on a table and searched.

He was then stopped for a third time at the departure gate, where he said security staff emptied his possessions on the floor, before being allowed on the plane.

Mr Stewart contacted the firm and demanded an apology. When they refused he launched legal action.

Lawyers for ICTS initially claimed they could not give evidence because it would threaten homeland security in the US but a judge rejected their plea.

After a third hearing ICTS agreed to pay Mr Stewart £4,000 plus legal costs.

The married father-of-one from Bristol said he hoped other victims of discrimination would now speak out...

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