A bus driver who was dismissed from his position after chasing down a thief to retrieve a passenger's stolen necklace has seen an outpouring of public support, with thousands of pounds raised and a petition calling for his reinstatement gaining significant traction.
Incident Leads to Dismissal
Mark Hehir, a 62-year-old from north-west London, was employed by Metroline when an incident unfolded on his bus. A thief snatched a passenger's necklace, prompting Mr Hehir to pursue the perpetrator. He successfully recovered the jewellery, but the situation escalated when the thief attempted to punch him. In response, Mr Hehir retaliated, knocking the assailant unconscious.
Despite being praised by many as a hero for his actions, Metroline took the decision to terminate his employment. This dismissal was later upheld by an employment tribunal, which reviewed the case and supported the company's stance.
Public Backlash and Fundraising Efforts
In the aftermath of his dismissal, a GoFundMe page was established to support Mr Hehir, quickly raising over £4,500. Additionally, an online petition advocating for his reinstatement has attracted more than 6,000 signatures, reflecting widespread public sympathy for his situation.
Henry Goff, a 34-year-old web developer who created the GoFundMe page, expressed strong support for Mr Hehir. "He's a hero, he's the kind of person that I think we all need to see and that we need more of," Mr Goff said. He added that the fundraising success brought him joy, stating, "It makes me so happy, this is civil justice."
Political Figures Weigh In
The case has drawn attention from political figures across the spectrum. Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick posted on social media in support of Mr Hehir, urging Metroline to "reinstate Mark and apologise for their disgraceful conduct."
Shadow Tory justice minister Kieran Mullan launched the online petition, calling for Metroline to "reinstate or compensate" Mr Hehir. Mr Mullan argued that the dismissal sends a deeply troubling message, saying, "Law abiding people should not be punished for standing up to thugs."
Reform UK's London 2028 mayoral candidate, Laila Cunningham, also voiced support, threatening to withhold future contracts from Metroline if Mr Hehir is not reinstated. "Under my watch, Londoners won't fund companies that punish heroes for standing up to criminals," she stated.
Driver's Perspective and Background
Mr Hehir shared his thoughts with the Metro newspaper, explaining his actions. "I'm not a guy who attacks people, but I will defend people in trouble, which has unfortunately proved to be my downfall," he said. He also revealed that he had volunteered in Ukraine for months following the Russian invasion in 2022, highlighting his commitment to helping others.
The case raises important questions about the boundaries of employee conduct and public expectations, with many arguing that Mr Hehir's instincts to protect a passenger should be commended rather than penalised.
