The police forcibly removed it Finns Party MP Tomi Immonen from a Finnair plane. The politician argued with the crew for over 40 minutes and refused to leave the plane despite repeated requests, the yle portal reported.
Immonenem said in an interview with the portal that this was what the plane crew decidedthat he was too drunk to take part in the flight.
– Someone might think that I was incapable of flying a plane, but maybe I was able to travel and stay in my seat? – he asked.
After leaving the plane, Immonen submitted to a breathalyzer test. It showed that he had 0.069 per mille of alcohol in his blood. The MP later issued an apology to Finnair employees and passengers on the flight.
The flight from Helsinki to Bangkok takes almost 12 hours. Due to the politician's behavior, the plane landed almost two hours late.
Intoxicated Finnish MP taken off the plane. “This is unfortunate behavior.”
Envoy Tomi Immonen he is a former officer. His 30-year military career included, among others: peacekeeping service in Lebanon.
Chairman of the parliamentary group Jani Mäkelä's Finns Party commented on the matter on social media.
“Immonen's behavior on board the plane was unfortunate. We are in contact with the MP,” the politician said.
The Finns Party is the second largest party in parliament. There are 46 MPs in the 200-seat chamber.