Reuters photographer returns to UK

He has returned to the United Kingdom.

Frank DeMaria, of Reuters’ corporate public relations department in Washington, said yesterday, “We are aware of the incident, but have no comment beyond that.”

The photographer whose name was withheld has described the incident on Thursday as a “slip up” by the police.

Newsday learned that just after 8 am Thursday, the photographer was detained in his hotel room by Inspector John Martinez and a team of SAUTT officers. His passport was scrutinised and was quizzed about terrorist links.

It was only after the photographer asked the cops to contact his head office in Washington to verify his identity and documents were faxed to the Hilton, that he was allowed to leave his room.

Yesterday, SAUTT distanced itself from the incident describing the questioning of the photographer as a police matter.