Joel Madden was boarding a British Airways flight from London to Lisbon on Saturday evening, in which he now claims he was ordered to hide his tats or stay in the U.K.
“Was just told by a british air person I can’t get on the plane till I cover my tatts,” Joel writes on Twitter. “I really actually am in shock he won’t let me on the plane till I put long sleeves on and other BA rep is disagreeing.”
Joel told the employee it was discrimination and threatened to write a nasty letter. “The guy was literally disgusted by me,” he says.
In the end, however, he conceded, put on a long-sleeved shirt and boarded the flight:
“yes i covered up to board the BA flight,” Joel wrote. “I didn’t want to miss it. And honestly I was embarrrassed all the people were staring and laughing! Its not in the rules that I can find. My tatts arent offensive. I havent felt this small since the first time i asked nic out.”
Richie is livid as well, writing on her Twitter, “all of @joelmadden ‘s tattos are spiritual. Since when is expressing your love for God & family against what British Airways stands for?”
“British Airways has no policy against tattoos at all,” a rep for the airline states. “The only dress policy is that people dress appropriately. There’s absolutely no prohibition of tattoos.”
The rep adds that the staff member involved in Madden’s mishap “is being spoken to.”
Okay, “being spoken to”? Oh c’mon BA!! This was major discrimination and was wrong. And Joel handled this very maturely. Joel is owed a formal apology and that employee needs more than a speaking to!