The arrest and subsequent detention of Motown superstar Diana Ross at a London airport over a claim that she "assaulted" a female security guard has attracted a wave of sympathy from the UK Black community.

Police arrested Ms. Ross as she was boarding a flight to New York Sept. 22, following a claim by the guard that the 55-year-old superstar "punched" her breast.

Ms. Ross, who was in Britain to promote her new album, was said to have set off airport metal detector on her way to board a Concord flight. She was immediately stopped by the guard and pulled in for a body search.

The singer apparently took exception to the "very intrusive" nature of the frisking by the security guard. She allegedly frisked the guard in return. The police were called in and the superstar was whisked away for questioning. She was later released without charge.

Recounting her experience in detention she said: "It�s devastating to be in a police detention. I�ve never been in one before. I was very frightened. I stayed there from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m."

The singer, who was visibly shaking by her ordeal, broke down in tears as she recounted her experience. Ms. Ross explained that she spent all her time in detention thinking and worrying about her children. "I was sacred. I wanted to go home," she told a group of newsmen, which included this reporter.