SHAMED supermodel Naomi Campbell has accused British Airways staff of calling her a "golliwog" during the row that led to her arrest. She came out fighting after appearing in court on Friday to plead guilty to attacking two policemen called to calm the fracas on board a transatlantic jet.In a television interview, the hot-tempered catwalk queen claimed her foul-mouthed out burst-during which she kicked and spat at police - was provoked by a member of the airline staff racially abusing her. She said: "I was called a 'golliwog supermodel'. I don't think that's really fair, do you?
"I was called a racial name and that was my reaction - nothing to do with the police but from British Airways. I took it too far but I don't apologise to British Airways. I think they're disgusting because there are people still waiting for luggage. I have travelled with them for many years and I think they have been harsh."
British Airways flatly denied her claims yesterday with a spokesman saying: "We do not accept any allegations of racism."
Campbell went berserk when she was asked to leave a Heathrow to LA flight because her bag had gone missing during the Terminal Five chaos in April. She told police officers on the plane: "It is because I am a black woman, you are all racists. I am going to sue you. I am going to f*** you."
And she blasted BA Captain Miles Sutherland ranting: "I can't believe you have lostmy f****** bag. You are a racist, you wouldn't be doing this if I was white." The 38-year-old, who has a track record for violent outbursts, avoided jail as it was her first criminal conviction in the UK. Instead she was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work.
Campbell lashed out at officers and staff who attempted to remove her from the plane, claiming that she was being targeted because she was black. She pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court in west London to two counts of assaulting a police officer; one count of disorderly conduct likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and using threatening, abusive words or behaviour to cabin crew on a flight.
Her community service order stands for 12 months. In addition she was told to pay compensation of s200 each to the police officers she assaulted, a further s150 compensation to the aircraft's captain Miles Sutherland, and fines totalling s2300.
BA'S STATEMENT: 'British Airways does not accept any allegations of racism - we are proud of our diversity. We have strict policies concerning dignity at work and have long-standing training programmes on diversity and inclusion.'