Honours for airport attack heroes

Sgt Campbell and Pc Ferguson helped tackle the failed bombers

Seven people are to be honoured for their role in helping to foil the Glasgow Airport terror attack.

Sgt Torquil Campbell and Pc Stewart Ferguson, of Strathclyde Police, are set to receive the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.

Stephen Clarkson, Michael Kerr, Henry Lambie, Michael McDonald and Alexander McIlveen will also receive the award.

The attack saw a blazing Jeep filled with gas canisters driven into the terminal building on 30 June 2007.

Sgt Campbell tackled suspects at the airport during the attack, along with Pc Ferguson, who was off duty and was at the airport to meet relatives.

Pc Ferguson used a fire extinguisher to try to douse the flames and then used it on one of the bombers to stop him attacking colleagues.

Sgt Campbell, who has since retired, suffered a hand injury but remained on duty.

Mr McDonald, who was working at one of the check-in desks, evacuated people before striking a suspect and helping to restrain him.

Mr Clarkson punched one of the suspects to the ground before using his bodyweight to restrain him until he was handcuffed.

Mr Kerr, who had just returned from holiday was punched in the face and also suffered a broken leg after going to help a police officer tackle a suspect.

Mr Lambie, who was working at the airport, helped evacuate people before he tackled the fire with an extinguisher.

He also turned the extinguisher on a suspect before helping to apprehend the man.

Mr McIlveen, who was working as a taxi driver on the day of the attack, helped to restrain a suspect and was temporarily blinded when CS gas was used to subdue the attackers. He recovered and later led Mr Kerr to safety.

'Immense gratitude'

First Minister Alex Salmond said the awards were in recognition of "the immense gratitude and admiration of the nation" towards the men who helped avert a major disaster.

"Those terrible events brought with them the shocking realisation that Scotland was not immune from the threat of terrorism," he said.

"The response to that threat was a remarkable expression of community solidarity by emergency service workers, staff from Glasgow Airport and members of the public.

"It is fitting that those who showed such courage and commitment to public safety should be honoured in this way. We must never forget how privileged we are to have such dedicated emergency professionals and volunteers on our side."

Strathclyde Police Chief Constable Stephen House said: "Torquil Campbell and Stewart Ferguson are fully deserving of this award - an award which is held in the highest regard.

"The exceptional conduct and professionalism adopted by these two men, and indeed all Strathclyde Police officers on duty that day, is something which will be remembered for some time."

Two men - Kafeel Ahmed and Bilal Abdulla - were arrested following the failed attack on Glasgow Airport.

Ahmed later died from serious burns sustained in the attack. Abdulla was jailed for a minimum of 32 years for his role.