John E Brennan caused a stir after stripping naked to walk through an airport security screener (AP)

A man has stripped naked at a US airport as a protest against airport security screeners, police said.

The incident at Portland International Airport in Oregon caused some passengers to cover their eyes and their children's eyes while others looked, laughed and took photos, a police report said.

Port of Portland police said 49-year-old John E Brennan was arrested for investigation of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct.

The Oregonian newspaper reported that the police summary said Brennan "disrobed completely naked" while going through a security screening area.

He later told authorities he flies often and "disrobed as a form of protest against Transportation Security Administration screening staff he felt were harassing him".

He missed his flight to San Jose, California.

PA