LONDON - Model Naomi Campbell says she is sorry she assaulted two police officers during a dispute about lost luggage aboard a British Airways plane. But she has refused to apologize to the airline, accusing it of racism.
British Airways strongly denied the charge.
Campbell, 38, was sentenced Friday to 200 hours community service and fined $4,600 after she pleaded guilty to kicking, spitting and swearing at the officers aboard a plane at Heathrow Airport in April.
In an interview with Sky News broadcast Saturday, Campbell said she regretted her behaviour and said "I apologize profusely" to police.
"As for British Airways, I don't apologize," she said.
Campbell accused British Airways staff of having racist attitudes.
"I was called a racial name on that flight," Campbell said, adding that her violent behaviour "was part of my reaction." She did not say who had called her the name, but said it was not a passenger.
In a statement, British Airways said it "does not accept any allegations of racism."
"We are proud of our diversity. We fly to 90 different countries around the world and employ a multinationality workforce," the airline said. "We have strict policies concerning dignity at work and have long-standing training programs on diversity and inclusion."
Campbell has a history of assaulting assistants and employees.
Last year, she was sentenced to a week of community service in New York City after admitting "reckless assault" for throwing a mobile phone at her housekeeper.
In 2000, she pleaded guilty in Toronto to an assault charge for beating an assistant while making a film in Canada.
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