75 Year Olds Comment About Muslims Has Him Arrested In Airport For Racism Authorities recently dropped charges against 75-year-old retiree Paul Griffith, who faced consequences after talking back to an airport security worker who asked him to remove his shoes. The altercation happened approximately six months ago, when Griffith was attempted to leave for vacation from a London airport. When Griffith set off a metal detector in the security line, one of the workers asked him to remove his shoes. I am not a Muslim am I? Griffith responded to the request. According to The Mirror, the security guard deemed Griffith racist, and felt that his remarks were shocking. Griffith was temporarily detained by authorities, but he was eventually able to leave for his vacation. One minute I am queuing up to get on a plane and the next I am confronted by two armed policemen, Griffith recalls. They said I had used racist language and took me to an office in the terminal. I was quizzed for an hour and told I was free to catch my flight but had to report back to police as soon as I returned to the UK. When Griffith returned, he was faced with charges of racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress. The charges fell under the Crime and Disorder Act. Griffith was told that he could face the charges or accept the caution. Griffith refused to take charges. I had done nothing wrong and I wasnt going to admit to a criminal charge if I wasnt guilty of any crime, Griffith told reporters. Ultimately, the charges were dropped just 24 hours before Griffith was scheduled to go to court. 