stubbornstains They might be all right. I hope so. The two men pictured gave longer interviews that were in the paper but not on the website. I doubt they'd do that if they were scared.
It sounded like Security was turning a blind eye because they were no trouble. They didn't sound like a security risk. I think the biggest headache at Heathrow are thieves, so it might even be helpful to have a few trustworthy people around as extra eyes.
The Portuguese man recently lost his job in a hotel restaurant and the other man, who's from somewhere in eastern Europe that I forget, is a building labourer who's hoping work will pick up as the weather improves. They're both watching every penny and doing the odd bit of work when they can get it and both said they were showered and shaved and out of the airport by about 6am.
I don't think the Standard article will have loads of extra people flocking to the airport. If I was in that situation it would occur to me to go there too.
Like the chief executive said, the airport is safe and warm and you can wash and eat there. His comments really surprised and cheered me - though if he does get an influx he will obviously have to review the situation. He's not running a hostel but he doesn't sound like the sort of person who wants to kick someone out into the cold either.
DoraGora newspapers would throw someone under a bus before apologising or acknowledging mistakes. Sadly, bloomin's tenner is long gone.