Moment an Easyjet passenger is slapped by his WIFE after going on an anti-mask tirade and causing a mass bust-up with other holidaymakers

  • EXCLUSIVE: Footage shows man ranting on a flight from Manchester last month
  • The passenger is heard saying: 'The longer you wear those masks, God help you'
  • He calls his wife an 'imbecile' before being slapped, and is said to have retaliated
  • Other passengers and flight attendants then intervene as plane lands in Tenerife
  • Police attended due to man 'behaving disruptively and refusing to wear mask'

This is the moment an easyJet passenger refusing to wear a face mask gets slapped by his wife as his foul-mouthed tirade sparks a massive bust-up with other holidaymakers.

Shocking footage shows a man going on a rant against face coverings and calling his wife an 'imbecile' during a flight from Manchester to Tenerife on September 6.

Towards the start of the clip, the passenger is heard saying: 'You're all being lied to, the longer you wear them masks, the longer this goes on.

'I tell you what, God help you, the longer you wear those masks, God help you.'

The man, pictured, is filmed going on a rant against face coverings during a flight from Manchester to Tenerife on September 6
He tells passengers: 'I'm serious, get them off', before shouting: 'Fight back'

The man, pictured, is filmed going on a rant against face coverings during a flight from Manchester to Tenerife on September 6, telling passengers: 'I'm serious, get them off'

He continues: 'I'm serious, get them off, get them off', before shouting: 'Fight back'.

The man tells his wife: 'Shut up you f***ing imbecile' before she is heard slapping him.

He is then said to have retaliated to the slap, before others jump to the woman's aid with one heard asking him: 'What are you doing?'

Speaking aside to another member of the public, a passenger says: 'Get the woman away. Get her away.'

After the man is called a 'coward', he responds: 'I'll fight you lad, I'll smash your f***ing face in.' 

The airline confirmed that police attended the flight due to a passenger 'behaving disruptively onboard and refusing to wear their face mask'. 

Flight attendants can be seen intervening towards the end of the video, telling passengers to sit down while the plane makes its landing.  

The person who filmed the footage told MailOnline: 'The guy was shouting and swearing about the fact we are now having to wear masks and have our freedom and lifestyles restricted. 

'Things quickly escalated from the shouting and all hell broke loose when his wife slapped him, only for him to retaliate and other passengers intervene.'

The camera operator added: 'People wanted to get off the plane and it was holding everyone up. By the time it had finished the plane had come to a standstill everyone just wanted to get off four-hour flight.  

The man, above, tells his wife: 'Shut up you f**ing imbecile' before she is heard slapping him. He then retaliated to the slap, according to the passenger who filmed the video

The man, above, tells his wife: 'Shut up you f**ing imbecile' before she is heard slapping him. He then retaliated to the slap, according to the passenger who filmed the video

Other passengers became involved after the man is said to have retaliated to his wife's slap
Flight attendants can be seen intervening

Other passengers and a woman believed to be travelling with the man, left, and flight attendants, right, intervene after the man is said to have retaliated to his wife's slap

'People were laughing about it at first but started getting frustrated at the end and worried about the police getting called.

'You go on holiday for two weeks and spend all that money, you just have to toe the line when you're there in the streets, just for that short time and make little sacrifices.'

An easyJet spokesperson told MailOnline: 'easyJet can confirm that police attended flight EZY1907 from Manchester to Tenerife on 6th September due to a passenger behaving disruptively onboard and refusing to wear their face mask. 

'In line with new guidelines, all passengers are currently required to bring their own face mask for their flight which must be worn during boarding and onboard.

'easyJet's cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time.

'Whilst such incidents are rare, we take them very seriously, and do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour on board.

'The safety and wellbeing of customers and crew is our highest priority.'

On its website, the airline says that face masks must be worn 'throughout the flight', in the airport and at the gate when boarding the plane. 

It states: 'In order to help protect yourself and others on your journey, you will need to wear a suitable protective face mask for boarding at the gate and throughout your flight with us. 

'This is mandatory on all easyJet flights and you will not be permitted to board if you arrive at the gate without one. 

'You will also be required to wear a mask to enter and travel through the airport terminal at your departure and arrival airport.' 

FACE MASK POLICY IN THE UK

Face masks must be worn on public transport and in many indoor spaces, including shops, shopping centres, indoor transport hubs, museums, galleries, cinemas and public libraries. 

It is currently the law for passengers to wear face coverings in taxis and private hire vehicles, in hospitality venues, like restaurants and bars, other than when you are eating and drinking. Staff in retail and hospitality settings are also legally required to wear face coverings. 

If necessary, the police and Transport for London (TfL) officers have enforcement powers including issuing fines of £200 (halving to £100 if paid within 14 days).

It comes after the World Health Organisation and numerous studies suggested they are beneficial.

As announced, the Government will bring forward changes to mean that for repeat offenders these fines would double at each offence up to a maximum value of £6,400.  

The Prime Minister has also announced tougher enforcement measures, with businesses facing fines or closure for failing to comply with coronavirus rules, meaning there will be consequences for pubs that try to serve you at the bar.

National Police Chiefs' Council chairman Martin Hewitt said: 'Individuals, businesses and households all have a responsibility to ensure the virus is suppressed and police will play their part in supporting the public to navigate the measures in place for our safety.

'Our approach of engaging with people and explaining the regulations in place will remain. The vast majority of situations are resolved following those two stages, with little need for further encouragement or enforcement action to be taken,' he said.

'Police will continue to work with their communities and only issue fines as a last resort.

'Chiefs will be stepping up patrols in high-risk areas and will proactively work with businesses, licensing authorities and local authorities to ensure the rules are being followed.

'If members of the public are concerned that the law is being broken or they are experiencing anti-social behaviour, they can report this to the police, who will consider the most appropriate response and will target the most problematic behaviour.'  

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