London Assembly Unanimously Demands Mayor's Apology Over Bus Driver Dismissal
The London Assembly has issued a formal demand for Mayor Sadiq Khan to apologise following the controversial sacking of a bus driver hailed as a "hero" for intervening during a robbery. Assembly members passed a unanimous motion on Thursday, calling for a full investigation into the dismissal of Mark Hehir by Metroline.
Motion Calls for Reinstatement or Compensation and Clearer Guidelines
The motion specifically urges Mayor Khan and Transport for London to "apply pressure to Metroline to reinstate Mr Hehir or provide appropriate compensation". Additionally, it advocates for the establishment of clear guidance for transport workers who take action to protect passengers from crime. This follows Mr Hehir's own public criticism, where he described the mayor's prolonged silence on the matter as "disappointing".
Details of the Incident and Subsequent Dismissal
Mark Hehir, a 62-year-old bus driver, was dismissed by Metroline after an incident where he pursued a thief who had snatched a passenger's necklace. The confrontation escalated when the individual returned, leading Mr Hehir to knock them out in what he claims was self-defence. An employment tribunal later upheld Metroline's decision to terminate his employment, a ruling that sparked significant public outcry.
Political and Public Backing for the Sacked Driver
Assembly member Keith Prince, who proposed the motion, emphasised that the issue centres on "whether we are comfortable with a system that punishes frontline workers for stepping in when crime happens right in front of them". The motion has garnered cross-party support, with Conservative shadow ministers Dr Kieran Mullan and Richard Holden having previously written to the mayor demanding serious consideration of reinstatement or compensation.
Furthermore, the Conservatives have announced plans to introduce good samaritan protections in civil law to shield both employers and employees in similar situations. Public sentiment is strongly behind Mr Hehir, evidenced by a petition with over 135,000 signatures and a GoFundMe page that has raised more than £40,000. Justice Secretary David Lammy has also publicly declared Mr Hehir "a hero and deserves our support".
Driver's Stance and Company's Position
In a recent interview, Mr Hehir stated that while he seeks an apology from Metroline and compensation for lost earnings, he does not wish to return to his former job. A Metroline spokesperson maintained that "the tribunal has upheld the dismissal as fair". Mayor Sadiq Khan is now required to provide a formal response to the Assembly's motion, though he is not obligated to accept its recommendations.
