Lisa Robertson

    -   Lisa Robertson, in interview with Britain's The Mail newspaper.


"She initiated the encounter...This woman seduced him on a plane. She was the sexual aggressor."

    - Sara Keene, Ralph Fiennes' media manager

Source: www.news.com.au 

Lisa Robertson's written statement to her employer, Qantas Airlines:

On 30th January 2007 I received a letter from MAM Aviation Services and an attached witness report by Customer Service Manager (CSM) Nanda Najmi.

This report sets out two allegations of breaches of Qantas corporate and cabin crew policies against me, those being;

That J class passenger Ralph Fiennes seated in 2K was sitting in a crew jump seat located at R1 of the aircraft talking to me during my rest break.

That the passenger from 2K was seen to exit a toilet in the vicinity and that I was seen to exit the same toilet a short time later.

In response to these allegations I submit the following.

I am a 38 year old and prior to my employment with Qantas I was a NSW police officer for 14 years.

I am a designated detective and trained hostage negotiator, weapons instructor and lecturer at the NSW Police Academy on covert operations. I have extensive training in many facets of policing, I have studied Law for several years and I am a qualified scuba diving instructor.

I bring to Qantas years of experience in customer service having dealt with people from all walks of life. I have extensive training in communications and conflict resolutions and first aid.

I was first employed by Qantas Airway Ltd in September 2004 as a long haul flight attendant under a 3 month contract. I was then offered a position with Jetconnect and subsequently relocated to Auckland, New Zealand where I operated Qantas long haul.

In September 2006 I resigned from Jetconnect and was employed by Maurice Alexander Management (MAM), Qantas short haul. I have been trained in emergency procedures and cabin services three times by Qantas Airways Ltd and I am business/first class trained.

I have completed a cultural awareness course.

During my time with Qantas long haul I received numerous excel nominations and letters of praise from passengers and other crew.

I have been commended on my 'outstanding and fantastic' customer service in business class, my commitment to customer service, my 'consistent', 'delightful', 'natural' and 'enthusiastic manner' of dealing with our customers.

I have been involved in numerous on board medical emergencies involving both crew and passengers and have been commended on my assistance given on these occasions.

I have always endeavoured to act in a professional manner as a police officer and as a flight attendant.

I fully respect and understand the importance of my role as a representative and ambassador of Qantas and Australia and I am very proud of this role.

In response to the first allegation, I admit that Mr Fiennes was sitting at R1 talking to me during my rest break and that I had conversed with him several times during the flight.

This is common practice on long flights to build a rapport with passengers and converse with them during the flight. I believe it is part of the role of a flight attendant to be friendly, natural and approachable to all our passengers, regardless of their class of travel.

In response to the second allegation in which Mr Fiennes and I were alleged to have been seen to exit the same toilet I submit the following.

Whilst conversing with Mr Fiennes at R1 during my break I expressed a need to go to the toilet. I went to the nearby toilet and entered it, he followed me and entered the same toilet.

I explained to him that this was inappropriate and asked him to leave. Mr Fiennes became amorous towards me and after a short period of time I convinced him to leave the toilet which he did.

I left the toilet a short time later. At no time did any crew member come to my assistance. At no time were any other customers aware of this incident.

At no time did I put the Qantas name or reputation in jeopardy.

I consider myself a valuable asset to this company. I deny that my behaviour on this flight was such that my employment should be terminated

Lisa Robinson

Flight Attendant

2 February 2007

Source: News.com