OAPs launch legal action against the Government after being wrongly mistaken for terrorists and kicked off flight

A COUPLE have launched legal action against the Government after they were escorted off a flight and wrongly called “a danger to ­national security”.

Retired farm worker Aniello Persico, 73, and wife Franca, 64, were told they couldn’t fly to Britain from Milan as they sat in their easyJet seats.

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A stewardess handed them an official Home Office letter saying: “Authority to carry refused”.

Police and security officers led them to a remote airport room where they were kept waiting for an hour before being released.

The Italians had no option but to catch a train to their Naples home and lose their £2,000 holiday.

Aniello and Franca were ejected via the Authority to Carry Scheme, set up to keep out terrorists.

Airlines must comply or face fines.

Their lawyer Enrico Viggiano said: “We contacted the Home Office as quite rightly my clients were offended at their treatment.

“They have a clean record, are not terrorists or drug dealers but simply two pensioners who had saved up for a trip to Britain and their plans were ruined.

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“They have never been to Britain and in fact never left Italy so this was going to be their first time abroad.

“The Home Office response was that they could not go into details but my clients were not welcome.

“We are seeking compensation for the distress caused and the money lost.

“The suggestion that they are criminals couldn’t be further from the truth and we intend to follow this up at the European Court of Human rights.”

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Aniello said: “We felt humiliated. We don’t even have a parking fine against us and all the passengers were looking at us as if we were criminals.

“We have never been to Britain so how can we be terrorists.

“It has caused us so much stress and we have not even had a full explanation or apology. That’s why we have a lawyer involved and are taking legal action.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “We can’t comment on individual cases.”