'Drunk' pilot has a heart condition, say lawyers

A Virgin Atlantic pilot arrested for allegedly being drunk as he prepared to fly to London, has said he also suffers from a heart condition.

Lawyers for Richard Harwell, 55, said he was "not doing well" after being held over the weekend at a detention centre.

The father of two, who has joint US and British citizenship, was freed on bail of £14,000 by a US court yesterday after being arrested when security staff at Washington Dulles International Airport allegedly smelled alcohol on his breath.

Harwell, who lives in London, has been charged with attempting to operate an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol. He was suspended by Virgin and faces up to five years in jail if convicted.