Holiday rentals news - English passengers flying to Scotland asked for passport

English passengers flying to Scotland asked for passport

English travellers arriving in Scotland need to show their passports. Some passengers are being asked to provide a passport or another form of photographic identification.

Under terrorism legislation, English travellers renting Edinburgh apartments and other accommodation in Scotland could be asked to present their passports. Passengers on domestic flights within the UK are normally checked for photographic ID before they board their flight.

The situation came to light when shadow home secretary Chris Grayling was asked for his passport upon arrival at Glasgow's Prestwick Airport. Passengers on domestic flights are currently asked to show some form of photographic identification prior to boarding their flight but are not typically asked for identification a second time and are not required to pass through border control.

However, Scottish police authorities have since confirmed that officers carry out checks on a regular basis, although there is no blanket policy to check all passengers. Grayling told the paper: "It is utterly and completely unacceptable for any police force to be doing routine identity checks on passengers travelling within the UK....of course we need security but there has to be a balance."

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police explained its position: "As part of their duties, police [officers] require to establish the identity of persons present at, or transiting through, a port and in recognition of this, legislation is provided for that purpose. In particular, specific powers are afforded...to officers to require production of a passport or other recognised identity document bearing a photograph."

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