Airport hero talks of fame guilt

Mr Smeaton praised others who helped following the attack

Glasgow Airport attack hero John Smeaton has admitted feeling guilty because of his high profile following the incident.

He was catapulted to international stardom after he helped police detain a man in a burning Jeep which was driven into the terminal building.

But Mr Smeaton said others who helped following the incident in June had not been given the same recognition.

The 31-year-old, from Renfrewshire, has received several "hero" awards.

In a television interview immediately after the attack, Mr Smeaton, who was working as a baggage handler, famously said: "This is Glasgow, you know - we'll set about you."

I do feel guilty. Everyone should be getting the same as me John Smeaton

Since his comments were broadcast around the world, he had been honoured at home and abroad, including winning an award in New York from TV news channel CNN.

Mr Smeaton, from Erskine - who has now taken a job as head of security at a private car park near the airport - will also be given the Queen's Gallantry Medal, one of the highest civilian honours for bravery.

But he urged people not to forget the emergency workers who tackled the terminal blaze and the staff who managed to get the airport up and running so quickly after the incident.

He said: "I do feel guilty. Everyone should be getting the same as me.

"They did exactly the same as me, probably a bit more. If I put myself in their position, I wouldn't be particularly happy if someone else was grabbing all the attention."