'Hero' Bus Driver Sacked After Thief Confrontation Demands Employer Apology
A bus driver dismissed after intervening to recover a passenger's stolen necklace has declared he would be "very happy" if his former employer, Metroline, issued a formal apology, though he has no intention of returning to his role.
Incident Leads to Dismissal and Tribunal Ruling
Mark Hehir, 62, was sacked by Metroline after he pursued a thief who snatched a necklace from a passenger on his bus in north-west London. The situation escalated when the thief returned, leading Mr Hehir to knock them out in what he describes as self-defence. An employment tribunal has recently upheld Metroline's decision to terminate his employment, a ruling that was initially reported by the Press Association.
Mr Hehir, originally from Limerick, Ireland, expressed profound gratitude for the "incredible" public support he has received. He stated to the Press Association: "I'd be very happy if Metroline made an apology and just admitted that they might have got it wrong. I'd like them to compensate me for lost earnings, that's important, that they understand they got it wrong, that's important for me."
No Desire to Return Amid Criticism of Company Culture
When questioned about potentially returning to his position, Mr Hehir was unequivocal in his response. He emphasised: "Absolutely not, you cannot work for a company that treats its staff like that. I'm not saying they treat the drivers bad, I'm just saying if anything does happen, it's always the driver's fault, they'll come down on you heavy. You're on your own, you've created a situation, now you get out of it, there's no help."
Describing bus driving as "an underpaid tough job", Mr Hehir acknowledged the overwhelming online support but insisted he does not view himself as a "hero". He added: "I've always felt I was justified in my actions, and it just seems that 99.5% of people agree with me. I'm actually looking for negative responses, and I just can't find any, I mean, everywhere there's thousands of messages."
Public Backing and Political Attention Grow
Public support has been substantial, with an online petition launched by shadow justice minister Dr Kieran Mullan, calling for Mr Hehir's reinstatement or compensation, garnering over 100,000 signatures. A GoFundMe page established for Mr Hehir has also raised more than £20,000.
The 2024 incident left Mr Hehir severely injured. He recounted: "I spent six days in hospital, because I got an infection from the guy's tooth. I ended up in ICU, I had two operations on my hand because of the infection, I was very, very close to losing my hand, I quote the surgeon, probably in the next three days if I didn't get it seen to at the time." He further criticised Metroline, stating: "Even in that time I was still employed by the company, not one person from the company, HR or anyone else, rang me to ask how I was, and I thought that was a disgrace."
Currently working in a bar, Mr Hehir described the moment his story went viral: "I didn't know what was going on, but then my phone just started popping, going crazy."
Political Figures Weigh In on the Controversy
The case has drawn significant political attention. Dr Kieran Mullan, shadow transport minister Richard Holden, and Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative group on the London Assembly, have written to Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, demanding "serious consideration of reinstatement or appropriate compensation".
Boris Johnson, a former prime minister, posted on X: "The sacking of a hero bus driver for knocking out a necklace thief says it all about the wet, woke, legalistic pettifoggers who run Starmer's Britain." Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick also weighed in, stating on X: "Metroline should reinstate Mark and apologise for their disgraceful conduct."
A Metroline spokesperson commented: "The tribunal has upheld the dismissal as fair."
