Campbell pleads guilty to assault charge

LONDON, June 22 (UPI) -- Model Naomi Campbell admits she assaulted a police officer at London's Heathrow Airport, but blames her rage on a racist comment by a British Airways worker.

Campbell, 38, alleges that while traveling through Heathrow's new Terminal 5 in April, she was called a "golliwog supermodel' by an airline employee, causing her to lose her temper when police arrived at the scene, The Independent reported Sunday.

"I was called a racial name on that flight and that was part of my reaction," she said. "Nothing to do with the police, but yes, from British Airways. I was called a 'golliwog supermodel,'" the black model said hours after she pleaded guilty to assault charges Friday.

A "golliwog" is a popular literary character originally based on a black-face minstrel doll.

The model, who has since been banned by British Airways, told the British newspaper she refuses to apologize to the airline.

"As for British Airways, I don't apologize," she said. "I just think they are disgusting, because there are people still waiting for their luggage."