Tourist Is Accused of Aiding Militant Strike on Mauritius Airport

Security officials demanded that Nicole Kennedy, 20, hand over her mobile phone after they saw her take the picture, claiming it could help terrorists.

Since buying the £15 stuffed animal from Edinburgh Zoo last year, Miss Kennedy has taken dozens of 'selfies' with him in front of the Kelpies and Forth Bridge, as well as in Mauritius and South Africa.

She said: 'It was such a beautiful view that I just knew I had to take a photo with Panda Kennedy.

'Suddenly, a very official looking man came over and sternly told me off, saying that photos were prohibited and it was a threat to security. There were no signs informing passengers of this. I'm not sure what he thought I was going to do with a stuffed panda and a cellphone but he sure took his job seriously enough.

He kept walking while he insisted on having a look at my phone. I had Panda Kennedy clutched tightly in my hand and he wanted to know what I was doing with him. My hopes of explaining my Panda selfie idea was probably not going to come across well.

'I moved away as fast as possible. He thankfully gave up.'

A spokesman from the Mauritian embassy in London said: 'Many airports across the world do not allow you to take pictures inside for security reasons.

'We have to prevent people from taking photos - there are terrorists all over the world.'

Panda Kennedy has been photographed dozens of times, including the Bass Rock, East Lothian, and the Falkirk Wheel.

The Cascade Waterfall in Mauritius also features among the snaps.

Miss Kennedy added: 'His next adventure will probably be Kruger National Park or Cape Town.

'Some people give me strange looks when they see me holding a stuffed panda in the air in front of my phone.

Nicole, whose parents are originally from Scotland, said that she has 'loved' pandas since she was a little girl.

'I collect anything to do with pandas now,' she added.