LSG says link with terrorism arrest is ‘pure speculation'

LSG Sky Chefs, the world's biggest supplier of airline food, has denied that one of its employees was arrested by police in connection with terrorism last week.

The airline caterer described newspaper coverage linking one of its workers with the arrests early last week as "pure speculation".

A report in the Daily Express alleged that one of the men being held by the police worked for the airline caterer and was based at Gatwick. The paper said this raised the terrifying prospect of people being able to poison food being eaten by both passengers and crew members.

A spokeswoman for LSG Sky Chefs said there had been no official announcement from the police as to who had been arrested. "All our workers due to report for work did so, and we have not been contacted by the police regarding their investigations."

The spokeswoman said that security at the German-owned company had always been a priority. "We employ extremely rigorous checks on all people hoping to join the company."

She added that staff with access to aircraft underwent additional screening by the British Airports Authority, including checks on any previous criminal activity.

LSG Sky Chefs employs 40,000 people and provides in-flight catering services for 270 airlines worldwide.