'Hero' Bus Driver Demands Apology After Being Sacked for Confronting Thief
A bus driver who was dismissed after chasing down a thief to return a passenger's stolen necklace has stated he would "be very happy" if his former employer, Metroline, issued an apology. Mark Hehir, 62, emphasised that while he seeks compensation for lost earnings, he has no intention of returning to his job, citing poor treatment by the company.
Public Outpouring of Support Following Tribunal Ruling
More than 100,000 people have signed a petition to support Mr Hehir, launched by shadow justice minister Dr Kieran Mullan, after an employment tribunal upheld Metroline's decision to sack him. The incident occurred in north-west London, where Mr Hehir, originally from Limerick, Ireland, chased a thief who had stolen a passenger's necklace and knocked them out in self-defence when they returned.
Mr Hehir described the public support as "incredible", noting that he has received thousands of positive messages online. "I've always felt I was justified in my actions, and it just seems that 99.5% of people agree with me," he told the Press Association. Despite being hailed as a hero, he modestly refrained from applying that label to himself.
Severe Health Consequences and Lack of Company Support
The 2024 incident led to serious health issues for Mr Hehir, who spent six days in hospital due to an infection from the thief'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," he explained, quoting a surgeon who said he might have lost it within three days without treatment.
He expressed disappointment that during his hospital stay, while still employed, no one from Metroline's HR or management contacted him to check on his wellbeing. "I thought that was a disgrace," he added, though he acknowledged some assistance from his union, which he said had limitations.
Political Backing and Financial Aid for the Former Driver
Politicians have rallied behind Mr Hehir, with shadow justice minister Dr Kieran Mullan, shadow transport minister Richard Holden, and Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative group on the London Assembly, writing to Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan to demand "serious consideration of reinstatement or appropriate compensation". A GoFundMe page has raised over £20,000 for him, and he currently works in a bar.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson commented on X, calling the sacking indicative of "the wet, woke, legalistic pettifoggers who run Starmer's Britain". Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick also posted, urging Metroline to reinstate Mr Hehir and apologise for their "disgraceful conduct".
Company's Stance and Driver's Future Outlook
A Metroline spokesperson defended the decision, stating, "The tribunal has upheld the dismissal as fair." Mr Hehir, however, remains firm in his stance, asserting that he cannot work for a company that treats staff poorly. "You're on your own, you've created a situation, now you get out of it, there's no help," he said, criticising the company's approach to driver incidents.
He highlighted that driving a bus is "an underpaid tough job", and while grateful for the support, he is focused on moving forward without returning to Metroline. The case continues to spark debate over employee rights and corporate responsibility in handling such situations.
