Transport for London (TfL) has strongly condemned a video showing a passenger spitting at and hurling racist slurs at a London bus driver, calling the incident “shocking” and “appalling.”
The disturbing footage has been widely circulated on social media, including a tweet by former police officer and law and order campaigner Norman Brennan. The incident is believed to have taken place in Hayes, within the London borough of Hillingdon.
In the video, the male passenger can be heard shouting “You Muslim terrorist b******” at the bus driver before spitting at the glass partition that separates the driver from the passengers. The man continues his tirade of racial abuse, even demanding that the driver get off the bus. When the driver asks the passenger to leave, he briefly exits the bus but then re-enters, aggressively banging on the partition while continuing his racist rant. A bystander attempts to de-escalate the situation by urging the driver to let the man go, after which the passenger exits the bus. The video ends with the man still shouting racist abuse as he walks away.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Service confirmed that they are investigating the incident. “Police are aware of a video showing a bus driver being racially abused. It is believed to have been filmed at a stop on Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, on Wednesday, August 7. The Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating and are clear that there is no place for this kind of abuse in London. We are speaking to partners at Transport for London.”
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for swift action to be taken against the perpetrator. TfL reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its staff and passengers, condemning all forms of discrimination and abuse.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
