London Assembly Unanimously Backs Probe Into Sacked Bus Driver's Case
The London Assembly has delivered what members describe as a clear and unified message to Mayor Sadiq Khan and Transport for London, voting unanimously for a full investigation into the controversial dismissal of a bus driver who intervened during a robbery. Mark Hehir, a 62-year-old driver for Metroline, lost his job after punching a thief who had stolen a passenger's necklace on his bus in 2024, rendering the assailant unconscious.
Cross-Party Support for Driver Deemed a 'Hero'
During a Plenary meeting at City Hall, every Assembly Member present backed a motion proposed by Reform UK's Keith Prince. The motion calls not only for a thorough probe into the incident but also for the Mayor to issue clear guidance to ensure transport workers who act in good faith to protect passengers are treated fairly and supported, rather than punished. This comes after an employment tribunal upheld Metroline's decision to dismiss Mr Hehir, sparking a public petition that has garnered over 130,000 signatures demanding his reinstatement.
Keith Prince expressed strong sentiments about the case, stating, "I don't know how we have a society that has changed so much that someone who's defending somebody else, defending himself, ends up being dismissed from his job - I think that is horrible." The motion, while non-binding and not requiring the Mayor to act, mandates a formal response from his office regarding the Assembly's recommendations.
Assembly Members Voice Concerns Over Community Values
Krupesh Hirani, the Labour Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow—where Mr Hehir drove the 206 bus—remarked that the situation "feels wrong" and suggested that "maybe the rules are wrong in the first place...and need to be looked at." Conservative Assembly Member Thomas Turrell added a philosophical dimension, questioning, "At the heart of this situation is what kind of community do we want across London? Do we want a community where people are encouraged to turn and look the other way when a crime is committed or do we want a community that looks out for one another?"
Following the vote, Mr Hehir responded with gratitude, saying, "I want to thank Susan [Hall] and the whole Assembly for supporting me. To have everyone come together, all different parties, it means a lot. I hope the Mayor now finally says something as it's disappointing he hasn't so far. I would welcome the chance to speak with him about it. I hope he will give his support as well." Susan Hall, leader of the City Hall Conservatives, who recently met with Mr Hehir, praised him as a "hero" and emphasised the public's support through the petition.
Broader Implications and Additional Motions Passed
Mr Prince highlighted the real-world stakes of the decision, noting, "This case is not an abstract policy discussion. A London bus driver has lost his job after intervening to help a passenger who had been robbed, and his livelihood and reputation are on the line right now." He argued that the public outcry reflects a basic injustice and that the motion aims to address whether frontline workers should be penalised for stepping in during crimes.
In addition to this motion, the London Assembly passed four others, including calls for the Mayor to:
- Rethink regulations on evacuating deaf and disabled people during fires.
- Publicly champion the right to a jury trial for all Londoners accused of serious crimes.
- Collaborate with Assembly Members when using TfL advertising space.
Another narrowly passed motion urged Sir Sadiq to criticise the Labour government's "U-turns" in office. The Mayor's office has been contacted for comment on these developments, as the Assembly's actions underscore ongoing scrutiny of transport policies and worker protections in the capital.
