295:. However, T in the Park organiser Geoff Ellis said: "Through his actions at the weekend, John Smeaton absolutely epitomizes the spirit of Scotland that we are always so proud of at T in the Park. However, due to heightened security and an incredibly tight performance schedule on the Main Stage at T in the Park this year, unfortunately we can't allow him to get up on stage".
441:
his foot while tackling burning Kafeel Ahmed, told reporters: "John
Smeaton is not telling the whole truth. When it came to tackling the bombers, he didn't land a blow." Smeaton denied claims that he was a fake and pointed out that he had already stated in 2007 that he felt the press were not giving enough credit to the others involved.
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in its first 48 hours. The website urges visitors to buy a pint of beer for him; over 1000 pints were donated within two days. The BBC reported on 18 July 2007 that John
Smeaton has pledged half of the money donated for pints of beer to the veteran's charity Erskine, which cares for former servicemen
400:
that he feared "a jihad or a fatwa being issued" against him, but added, "that would just be fate. I can't stop a bloke with an AK47. One thing is for certain, they'll have to kill me. They'll never take me alive." In the same month, Smeaton and other bystanders who intervened in the
Glasgow Airport
440:
In March 2008 reports began to circulate in the national press that
Smeaton's involvement in the incident had been exaggerated, and that others, who had done more to restrain the attackers, had not been recognised with awards such as the Queen's Gallantry Medal. Alex McIlveen, who tore a tendon in
137:
Smeaton, a baggage handler, was off duty when he saw the incident start to develop on 30 June 2007. During his break he observed two men driving a burning jeep filled with highly flammable gas cylinders into the airport entrance. He heard three explosions and ran over to help.
151:
The incident has been described as inspiring others to take personal initiative and act decisively in a crisis. Newsagent and former policeman
Mohammed Afzah would later cite Smeaton as an inspiration for his facing down and repelling a would-be armed robber.
242:"If any more extremists are still wanting to rise up and start trouble, know this: We’ll rise right back up against you. New York, Madrid, London, Paisley … we’re all in this together and make no mistake, none of us will hold back from putting the boot in."
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During the incident
Smeaton also helped drag Michael Kerr, who also intervened in the event, to safety. Kerr had been left lying with a broken leg beside the burning jeep after also kicking Ahmed.
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group was also set up in dedication to
Smeaton, called the John Smeaton Fan Club. Over 550 Bebo members had joined the club within 48 hours, and this page also received exposure in the
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and women at five homes throughout
Scotland. The balance of the money was to be used to fund a night out for those who also assisted at the incident at Glasgow Airport.
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462:
379:
On 12 September 2007 he received an official audience with New York City Mayor
Michael R. Bloomberg at New York City Hall. On 24 September 2007 he attended the
155:
In late July, Smeaton returned to his old job as a baggage handler at the airport. Later in the year he accepted a job as head of security at a nearby company.
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925:
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I watched the footage of John
Smeaton and I just thought it was fantastic. He had the kind of unthinking, selfless heroism that most people wished they had.
477:. Labour won the seat with 12,231 votes while Smeaton polled 258 votes; eighth amongst 13 candidates. Smeaton's by-election campaign was the subject of a
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A Facebook group called the John Smeaton Appreciation Society was also established with over 4,000 members; this refers to Smeaton as: "Glasgow's
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360:
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126:
72:
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1270:"Glasgow terror hero is 'a fake who failed to land a blow on burning man' during airport attack, say bitter colleagues | News"
258:"If you see the law going down then you have to step up to the plate. I mean, at the end of the day, when the law falls, we fall."
470:
327:
In the weeks after the attack, Smeaton made a variety of public appearances and interviews including appearing on the pitch at
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election, following the umbrella organisation's launch in March 2009, and their backing of 59 candidates in the 4 June
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The television interviews that brought him to the attention of the world focused on his own reaction to the attack.
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212:"So I ran straight towards the guy, we're all trying to get a kick-in at him, take a boot to subdue the guy."
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117:, Renfrewshire, a town outside the city and near the airport. Brought up in Erskine, he was educated at
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The website also called for Smeaton to make an appearance at the popular Scottish music festival,
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in the groin. Ahmed suffered burns over 90% of his body and died later in hospital.
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428:. In the same month Smeaton was named as one of the ten "Top Scots 2007" by
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In September 2007 he started writing a column for the Scottish edition of
457:
called as a result of the resignation of the former Speaker of the House
218:
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On 18 December 2007, it was announced that Smeaton was to be awarded the
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Smeaton was one of four members of the public who were presented with a
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After he saw the police grappling with one of the attackers, he thought:
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114:
854:
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On 25 September 2009, it was announced that Smeaton would stand as an
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It was reported that Smeaton shouted "fuckin' mon, then" and kicked
226:"Glasgow doesn't accept this. This is Glasgow; we'll set about ye."
356:
newspaper every Thursday, called 'The Column That Sets Aboot Ye'.
299:
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Following the attack, Smeaton gave television interviews to the
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in his speech. He received a standing ovation from the crowd.
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A tribute website set up in Smeaton's honour received 500,000
187:
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award in 2007. In December 2007 Smeaton was presented with a
287:
He was due to take to the stage and perform a rendition of "
1056:"Meet John Smeaton: One Kick and He Is The Hero of Glasgow"
537:
Meet John Smeaton: One Kick and He is the Hero of Glasgow
900:"Hero For Our Time · One Brave Weegie Takes on al-Qaeda"
318:
Smeaton was also the subject of a front-page article in
202:"You're no' hitting the Polis mate, there's nae chance."
424:
Everyday Superhero Award in New York, and awarded the
1371:
Smeaton interview with Loaded Magazine, by Jeff Maysh
825:"Raising a pint (or 1000) for Glasgow's 'Jack Bauer'"
16:
Former baggage handler at Glasgow Airport (born 1976)
390:Smeaton revealed in an October 2007 interview with
58:
50:
35:
23:
1010:John Smeaton, festival headliner? – Times Online
878:"NY Times – The Birth of John Smeaton Superstar"
683:
681:
1361:A short documentary trying to find John Smeaton
281:
747:(Supplement). 18 December 2007. p. 18305.
1310:"Glasgow Airport Hero Launches Political Bid"
556:"Life: People, Lifestyles & Living Today"
8:
919:
917:
791:"The baggage handler who tackled terrorists"
591:"'This is Glasgow. We'll just set aboot ye'"
469:-supported independent to be selected for a
221:what his message to terrorists was, he said:
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20:
1421:Recipients of the Queen's Gallantry Medal
1411:People educated at Park Mains High School
926:"The making of a legend on the internet"
784:
782:
780:
331:in front of his boyhood heroes before a
1187:"Daily Mirror – Pride of Britain award"
1161:"John Smeaton Talks at Last (Archived)"
1058:, Alistair MacDonald and Ian McDonald,
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977:
849:
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704:
702:
643:
641:
545:, Vol CCL, No. 5, 7–8 July. 2007, p. A6
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162:for his actions; this was presented by
335:home game. and meeting Prime Minister
109:. He became involved in thwarting the
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383:and his exploits were referred to by
97:in 1976), also known by the nickname
7:
1272:. Thisislondon.co.uk. Archived from
1233:"Top Scots 2007" (30 December 2007)
1163:. Jeff Maysh, Loaded. Archived from
1396:Independent politicians in Scotland
1366:Smeaton interview from the Observer
1141:. Inverness Courier. 10 August 2007
855:"John Smeaton Appreciation Society"
759:"Queen honours airport attack hero"
455:2009 Glasgow North East by-election
445:2009 Glasgow North East by-election
263:Tribute website and media attention
127:2009 Glasgow North East by-election
73:2009 Glasgow North East by-election
956:"Airport 'hero' in charity pledge"
710:"Airport hero talks of fame guilt"
620:"Baggage handler becomes web hero"
562:. 29 December 2007. Archived from
509:. 29 December 2007. Archived from
14:
985:"Airport hero festival spot call"
689:"PM applauds hero airport worker"
664:"Newsagent 'karate chops' robber"
366:for the sixth anniversary of the
1391:June 2007 UK terrorist incidents
359:He was invited to appear at the
190:which were broadcast worldwide.
1209:"BBC – Queen's Gallantry Medal"
1093:"JOHN SMEATON: I CAN HANDLE IT"
924:Richard Edwards (3 July 2007).
1334:. BBC One. n.d. Archived from
823:Matthew Coutts (2 July 2007).
401:attack were recognised at the
279:. The website's creator said:
1:
1312:. Sky News. 25 September 2009
485:, aired on 18 November 2009.
789:Simon Crerar (2 July 2007).
880:. Thelede.blogs.nytimes.com
876:Nizza, Mike (9 July 2007).
207:Describing his own actions:
111:2007 Glasgow Airport attack
67:2007 Glasgow Airport attack
39:1976 (age 47–48)
1442:
1028:Karen Bale (3 July 2007).
368:September 11, 2001 attacks
343:. He also appeared at the
1074:Diary of a have-a-go hero
345:Edinburgh Festival Fringe
1295:– Daily Telegraph report
1030:"John Smeaton: Our Hero"
465:. Smeaton was the first
461:in the aftermath of the
293:Rage Against the Machine
65:Intervention during the
1298:Retrieved 18 March 2008
1061:The Wall Street Journal
857:. Bebo.com. 1 July 2007
542:The Wall Street Journal
475:2009 European elections
426:Queen's Gallantry Medal
403:Pride of Britain Awards
381:Labour Party Conference
321:The Wall Street Journal
247:From an interview with
160:Queen's Gallantry Medal
1064:, page A1, 7 July 2007
370:. He also appeared on
285:
133:Glasgow Airport attack
121:. Smeaton stood as an
119:Park Mains High School
463:MP's expenses scandal
174:Television interviews
54:Senior ramp assistant
1248:"Everyday Superhero"
396:magazine journalist
1426:Scottish columnists
1416:People from Erskine
1139:"Inverness Courier"
1082:, 29 September 2007
1015:17 May 2011 at the
930:The Daily Telegraph
666:. BBC. 17 July 2007
566:on 3 September 2009
513:on 3 September 2009
481:documentary titled
289:Take the Power Back
237:interview, he said:
113:. Smeaton lives in
1235:Scotland on Sunday
1215:. 18 December 2007
1167:on 21 January 2016
765:. 18 December 2007
744:The London Gazette
716:. 28 December 2007
651:, 4 September 2007
430:Scotland on Sunday
373:Richard & Judy
361:World Trade Center
453:candidate in the
341:10 Downing Street
234:News of the World
170:on 4 March 2008.
168:Buckingham Palace
166:at a ceremony at
125:candidate in the
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1119:. 23 August 2007
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932:. Archived from
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695:. 3 August 2007.
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1332:"Make Me an MP"
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1101:. 31 July 2007.
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1017:Wayback Machine
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503:"Sunday Herald"
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103:baggage handler
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1355:External links
1353:
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1338:on 21 May 2010
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1276:on 5 June 2011
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1189:. Mirror.co.uk
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962:. 18 July 2007
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902:. John Smeaton
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991:. 3 July 2007
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626:. 2 July 2007
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597:. 5 July 2007
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1340:. Retrieved
1336:the original
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1316:25 September
1314:. Retrieved
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1278:. Retrieved
1274:the original
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1252:. Retrieved
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1237:. Edinburgh.
1234:
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1217:. Retrieved
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1191:. Retrieved
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1169:. Retrieved
1165:the original
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1143:. Retrieved
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1098:Daily Record
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1079:The Guardian
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1039:. Retrieved
1035:Daily Record
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993:. Retrieved
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964:. Retrieved
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938:. Retrieved
934:the original
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718:. Retrieved
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649:Daily Record
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628:. Retrieved
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599:. Retrieved
595:The Guardian
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568:. Retrieved
564:the original
559:
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515:. Retrieved
511:the original
506:
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415:Daily Mirror
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385:Gordon Brown
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143:Kafeel Ahmed
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95:Renfrewshire
84:John Smeaton
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25:John Smeaton
18:
1386:1976 births
1342:18 November
1113:"reference"
769:18 December
739:"No. 58544"
720:28 December
471:Westminster
451:Independent
364:ground zero
123:Independent
1380:Categories
1280:3 December
1254:14 January
1219:14 January
1193:14 January
1145:14 January
1123:14 January
906:14 January
884:14 January
861:14 January
570:14 January
517:14 January
489:References
398:Jeff Maysh
313:Jack Bauer
51:Occupation
45:, Scotland
796:The Times
467:Jury Team
217:Asked by
164:the Queen
91:Bishopton
43:Bishopton
1213:BBC News
1117:BBC News
1013:Archived
989:BBC News
960:BBC News
799:. London
763:BBC News
714:BBC News
693:BBC News
624:BBC News
601:25 April
219:ITV News
966:18 July
670:18 July
479:BBC One
353:The Sun
333:Rangers
231:In his
115:Erskine
1171:1 July
1041:3 July
995:3 July
940:3 July
836:3 July
803:3 July
630:3 July
436:Doubts
409:Awards
393:Loaded
99:Smeato
89:(born
1250:. CNN
291:" by
1344:2009
1318:2009
1282:2010
1256:2010
1221:2010
1195:2010
1173:2009
1147:2010
1125:2010
1043:2007
997:2007
968:2007
942:2007
908:2010
886:2010
863:2010
838:2007
805:2007
771:2007
722:2007
672:2007
632:2007
603:2016
572:2010
519:2010
300:Bebo
269:hits
186:and
36:Born
422:CNN
339:at
188:CNN
184:ITV
180:BBC
105:at
87:KGM
29:KGM
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