Naked X-Ray? No thanks

I’m happy to remove my shoes and walk three metres across an extremely grubby floor on tip-toes as they are x-rayed.

I’m happy to wave goodbye to my new (and expensive) handbag as an over-zealous security officer kneads my prized-possession as though it’s a loaf of Hovis brown in order to get it to fit in the tiny tray.

I’m even happy lose a full-sized bottle of perfume, two lip glosses and a hand cream if it means we can all travel safely.

A naked x-ray is another thing entirely.

Full body scanners that give a detailed enough image for those monitoring the screens to see if you’ve got artificial limbs, breast implants and body piercings, as well as gracing the monitor with an outline of you, will be introduced at Heathrow Airport.

They have been used in a trial at Manchester Airport where travellers could opt out and go for the more traditional ‘pat down’ instead but, if it’s a success, we may all have to face the unforgiving scan.

Now though, international travellers have to brave a naked X-ray. Scary.

Of course, this is intended to be the latest in a rather infinite line of security measures that are supposed to reassure us but, with the details it will expose (literally), is this one step too far?

The intrusive nature of the images is more than enough to cause seasoned naturists to blush and, more importantly, it’s just another bona fide method of inducing public fear.

Yes, I accept the argument that if you’ve got nothing to hide then this shouldn’t be a problem.

But it is.

I’ve got something to hide…myself.

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