Briton faces court after US flight diverted

A British man was due to appear in a US court today after being hauled off a transatlantic flight for unruly behaviour.

John Alexander Murray, 50, from Glasgow, was arrested by police at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, shortly after 11pm yesterday (4am GMT).

Officers said he had been arguing with other passengers, but did not appear to be drunk.

At East Boston District Court today, Mr Murray is due to be charged with interfering with a flight crew, Sergeant Richard Connelly of Massachusetts State Police said.

The US Airways flight from Philadelphia was due to fly non-stop to London.

But it was diverted to Boston after crew became concerned over the behaviour of Murray.

Airline spokesman Todd Lehmacher said the pilot decided that the Briton needed to be removed ahead of the Atlantic crossing "in the interest of safety".

Shortly after Flight 728 grounded at Boston at 11.08pm local time (4.08am GMT), officers arrested Murray and transported him to cells ahead of today's court date.

As to the nature of the disturbance, Sgt Connelly said: "He was given some instruction on the flight and he did not abide to it."

"He was arguing and causing a disturbance with other passengers."

The sergeant, who is based at the airport, added that the detained man was not drunk and that further details would be available after the end of today's court hearing.