The Ryanair passenger filmed racially abusing an elderly woman passenger, who is a member of the Windrush generation, today refused to apologise for his vile outburst as the mayor of Barcelona vowed to bring the “shameless rude racist” to justice.
David Mesher, originally from Barking, was identified by neighbours and a former colleague as the man seen launching a tirade of racist abuse at 77-year-old Delsie Gayle on a flight from Barcelona to Stansted last week.
Ms Gayle, from Leyton, was called an “ugly black bastard” by a white man sitting next to her, with the video sparking a furious backlash against the airline which failed to take action against the perpertrator who had told her: “Don’t talk to me in a f****** foreign language you stupid ugly cow.”
Mr Mesher, who lives in Birmingham, today refused to account for his comments, telling the Evening Standard: “Go away or I’ll call the police.”
Staff and residents at the sheltered accommodation where he lives in Yardley Wood, today reacted with shock to Mr Mesher’s racist aeroplane rant.
One neighbour said he had caused problems for residents in the past. He said: “It’s disgusting. Neighbours have had run-ins with him in the past.”
Another said he was a “strange man” and said: “I live next door to him and we have had problems. But, I have been told not to say anything more,” while a third added: “There are lots of carers who come in from different nationalities. They will not be happy.”
One neighbour told the Daily Mail: “He is a racist pig and bully … he should be punished.”
Another said: “No one really likes him. He keeps himself to himself and we don’t know much about him.”
Today, the mayor of Barcelona pledged to ensure Mr Mesher was “punished” after Essex Police referred the case to Spanish authorities. Mayor Ada Colau branded him a “shameless rude racist” and said Ms Gayle had the Catalan capital’s support and understanding.
