Glasgow Airport attack
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. It was reported that Smeaton shouted "fuckin' mon, then" and kicked Kafeel Ahmed in the groin. Ahmed suffered burns over 90% of his body and died later in hospital. 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. 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. 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. On 18 December 2007, it was announced that Smeaton was to be awarded theTelevision interviews
Following the attack, Smeaton gave television interviews to theTribute website and media attention
A tribute website set up in Smeaton's honour received 500,000 hits 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 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. The website also called for Smeaton to make an appearance at the popular Scottish music festival,Awards
Smeaton was one of four members of the public who were presented with a ''Daily Mirror'' Pride of Britain award in 2007. In December 2007 Smeaton was presented with aDoubts
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 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.2009 Glasgow North East by-election
On 25 September 2009, it was announced that Smeaton would stand as anReferences
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