G4S would like to apologise for any offence caused by the mistaken advice given by one of our officers to Virgin Atlantic ground staff, concerning uniforms on flights. We can confirm an investigation is underway and that all G4S teams and stations have been reminded service personnel are permitted to travel in uniform where that complies with individual airline rules. The final decision of what passengers are permitted to wear on a flight rests with an airline rather than with G4S and in this case Virgin Atlantic permits all service personnel travelling in uniform.

As a major employer of former servicemen and women we are taking this incident very seriously. We regret that this incident happened and will be apologising to PO Howse as soon as possible.