St Lucia probes airport breach

The St Lucia government has ordered an investigation into an apparent airport breach of protocol that embarrassed foreign minister Rufus Bousquet and delayed an American Airlines (AA) flight.



The incident occurred on Friday as Mr. Bousquet was about to leave on official business in the United States.



National Security Minister Guy Mayers says the incident should never have happened because there are protocols in place to deal with VIP\'s.



Reports indicate that Mr Bousquet objected to being screened in public, and later boarded the AA flight.



But it appears that the pilot was alerted and refused to take off, resulting in a flight delay of about half an hour.



The foreign minister was later subjected to a security check on the steps of the aircraft.



Mr. Mayers says the foreign minister should have been screened in private according to protocol.