My strip-search trauma at Dubai airport by Lily... and her showbiz pals Agy and Rhys

Some of Britain’s best-known stars – including singer Lily Allen and supermodel Agyness Deyn – were subjected to intimate strip-searches on their way to the lavish launch of the world’s most expensive resort in Dubai.

Actor Rhys Ifans and Ms Deyn’s rock-star boyfriend Albert Hammond Jnr were also among more than 100 guests examined by Dubai Customs officials to ensure they were not smuggling drugs into the country.

Ms Allen said she was left ‘terrified’ by her ordeal, while Ms Deyn said she found her treatment ‘traumatic’.

All smiles: Lily Allen enjoyed herself at the Aquaventure water park in Atlantis but the airport strip search was no laughing matter

The United Arab Emirates has a strict anti-drugs policy. Earlier this year British tourist Keith Brown was jailed for four years after a microscopic speck of cannabis was found on the sole of his shoe.

Officials targeted guests heading to the £20million four-day bash at the Atlantis resort last week, including many who have reputations for heavy partying.



Ms Allen, for instance, has openly admitted to taking drugs since the age of 13.



She told The Mail on Sunday she was subjected to an hour-long search at Dubai airport on Wednesday night.

The 23-year-old said: ‘I was strip-searched, which was so nice as soon as you arrive. I knew I didn’t have anything on me so I wasn’t worried. I wasn’t paranoid, just terrified.

‘It was at the airport and took more than an hour. It was really scary as they didn’t tell you what they were doing, they just said, “Take off trousers” and I was like, “Ahhh help”.’

Resort launch: Agyness Deyn (left), seen here with Natalie Imbruglia at the grand opening of Atlantis in Dubai, and her boyfriend Albert Hammond Jr (behind Natalie Imbruglia) were subjected to humiliating strip searches

Ms Deyn, 25, said: ‘Both Albert and I were strip-searched. It was really traumatic. It wasn’t the best experience in the world but it is their culture and you just have to respect it.’ Mr Ifans, who once said he lived ‘Don Juan moments of sex, drugs and drink for maybe months, seasons, years even’ did not wish to speak about his experience.

But one of his travel companions said: ‘Rhys quivered to jelly as soon as the officers approached him. He was beside himself with worry. They made him strip bare and poked him about with plastic gloves.

‘He had to hold his private parts out of the way while an officer did a thorough inspection. After nearly two hours of being interrogated and molested he was told to put his clothes back on and go on his way.

‘He was very scared and at one point was close to tears as he honestly thought he was going to be banged up. It’s really put the wind up him. It will be the only thing he will remember about the trip – he tells everyone he comes into contact with.



‘Normally he’s a jokey guy but this has been no laughing matter for him.’



Other guests at the four-day extravaganza to open the £1billion resort included Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, film stars Wesley Snipes and Lindsay Lohan, and singers Kylie Minogue and Shirley Bassey.

Organisers did fear that Dubai’s strict laws would cause a problem for guests, and issued them all with a leaflet warning of the dangers of bringing drugs into the country. ‘It’s been very embarrassing for the organisers,’ said one insider.

‘They got celebrities for the publicity, and in return the stars were promised they would be treated like royalty. Many of them feel very shaken and violated by the strip searches. It’s ruined their trip.’.