What was meant to be a routine first-class flight from London to Lahore turned into a shocking mid-air spectacle — and now, the sentence handed to the passenger at the centre of it is under intense scrutiny.
Salman Iftikhar, a recruitment tycoon, was jailed for 15 months after unleashing a stream of vile abuse, threats, and racial slurs against Virgin Atlantic cabin crew.
But many, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, say that punishment is far too soft.
“Two-Tier Justice” Concerns
Philp has formally asked Attorney General Lord Hermer to review Iftikhar’s sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
He argues it’s a glaring example of “two-tier justice,” pointing to the case of Lucy Connolly — who received 31 months in prison for a racist tweet about the Southport riots.
“Lucy Connolly committed a far less serious offence,” Philp said, “yet she got more than double the prison time.
Iftikhar made over 100 sickening threats, including gang rape and blowing up a hotel, and he has multiple previous convictions.”
A Flight Crew’s Nightmare at 39,000 Feet
Witnesses in the luxury cabin watched in disbelief as Iftikhar repeatedly called stewardess Angie Walsh a “f*ing b**,” accused her of racism, and even threatened to drag her from her hotel room to assault her.
He didn’t stop there. The 37-year-old also tried to fight another steward, threatened to blow up the five-star Avari Lahore Hotel where crew were due to stay, and kept up his tirade for the entire flight — all in front of his wife and three children, who were left in tears.
From Champagne to Courtroom
Isleworth Crown Court heard that Iftikhar had been drinking champagne before the abuse began.
When he was arrested at his home in Buckinghamshire, he admitted making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment.
Ironically, he and his wife run a London-based staffing company that trains businesses in customer service — an irony not lost on observers of the case.
The Sentence Dispute
Philp’s frustration stems from comparing Iftikhar’s case to Connolly’s.
Her offensive social media post — which she deleted — called for “mass deportation” and for hotels housing migrants to be set on fire.
She lost her appeal earlier this year and is due to be released later this month.
In a letter to Lord Hermer, Philp insisted: “Given the severity of Iftikhar’s threats, his sentence should be reconsidered and increased.
If it isn’t, it’s yet another example of two-tier justice.”
What Happens Next?
Under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, anyone can request a review.
If the Attorney General’s Office believes a sentence is too light, it can be referred to the Court of Appeal, which will decide whether to increase it.
Legally, threats to kill can carry a maximum of 10 years in prison, while racially aggravated harassment can bring up to two years.
For Iftikhar, the question now is whether the courts will decide 15 months was truly enough.
