Kennedy's Name on Us 'no-fly' List

Senator Ted Kennedy, a man with one of the most recognisable faces in American politics, was challenged by security officials on five US flights this year because his name was on the "no-fly" list of suspected terrorists.

Airport officials in his home town of Boston and in Washington DC told the veteran senator that they could not issue him a boarding card because his name was on the list. When he asked why, he was told: "We can't tell you."

"I said, 'I've been getting on this plane for 42 years,'" Mr Kennedy told the Senate judiciary committee this week.

He was allowed to board only after an airline supervisor identified him as a US senator. He complained to the authorities, but was challenged on four more flights.

Mr Kennedy told of the difficulties he had encountered in March to demonstrate the potential for abuse of the "no-fly" system introduced after September 11. At least 350 Americans have been permanently grounded. In most cases, civil liberties groups say, banned travellers are offered no explanation.

Transport security officials said Mr Kennedy was never considered a terror suspect, but his name was similar to one that had raised concerns.