London Bus Driver Dismissed After Defending Passenger from Thief
A former London bus driver who was sacked after chasing down a thief and protecting a female passenger has spoken out about his ordeal, stating he hopes he would act similarly again despite the consequences. Mark Hehir, 62, from north London, was driving the 206 bus between Wembley and Maida Vale in June 2024 when a man snatched a necklace from a young woman boarding the vehicle and fled.
Split-Second Decision Leads to Dismissal
Mr Hehir, who had worked for bus operator Metroline for two years, made an instantaneous choice to pursue the alleged thief, successfully recovering the jewellery. However, when the man later approached the distressed woman again, Mr Hehir intervened, knocking him out with a single punch in what he describes as self-defence. He then detained the individual on the pavement for approximately thirty minutes until police arrived.
The following day, Mr Hehir was suspended and subsequently fired for gross misconduct, a decision that has sparked significant public anger. A petition initiated by shadow cabinet member Dr Kieran Mullan calling for his reinstatement has garnered over 100,000 signatures, while a GoFundMe campaign has raised more than £20,000 in support.
Health Complications and Lack of Support
Following the incident, Mr Hehir was hospitalised for six days and required two surgeries due to an infection he attributes to being bitten by the alleged thief. He expressed dismay at the lack of welfare concern from his former employer, noting that no one from Metroline contacted him during his hospital stay.
"I spent six days in hospital - I got an infection in my arm, I had to have two operations, while still working for the company under their pay. No-one ever rang to ask how I was," he told the Daily Mail. "It's disgraceful, you could ask how my welfare is." He added that surgeons warned he was perilously close to losing his hand without timely treatment.
Employment Tribunal Upholds Dismissal
At an employment tribunal, investigating officers from the Metropolitan Police supported Mr Hehir's account. Detective Sergeant Waddington reviewed CCTV footage and concluded that the force used was proportionate and necessary for the defence of both Mr Hehir and the passenger. The detective noted the alleged thief threw the first punch, which missed, and Mr Hehir responded with a single strike.
Despite this, Metroline's Operations Manager, Alina Gioroc, ruled that Mr Hehir had breached company protocols, asserting the thief had returned to apologise and shake hands—a claim Mr Hehir firmly denies. The tribunal upheld the dismissal, finding Metroline's decision fell within the band of reasonable responses for an employer.
Political Backing and Public Outcry
The case has attracted attention from politicians across the spectrum. Shadow justice minister Dr Kieran Mullan, shadow transport minister Richard Holden, and London Assembly Conservative leader Susan Hall have written to Mayor Sadiq Khan urging reinstatement or compensation. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticised the decision on social media, calling it emblematic of "wet, woke, legalistic pettifoggers."
Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick also demanded Metroline apologise and reinstate Mr Hehir. Dr Mullan emphasised, "Law abiding people should not be punished for standing up to thugs. This decision sends a deeply troubling message that those who do the right thing will not be supported."
Life After Dismissal and Quest for Justice
Mr Hehir, who previously volunteered in Ukraine following Russia's invasion, said the incident has tarnished a job he loved. He has since found employment at a pub in Wembley, thanks to a friend, though it represents a significant drop in earnings.
"I'd be very happy if Metroline made an apology and just admitted that they might have got it wrong," he stated. "I'd like them to compensate me for lost earnings, that's important, that they understand they got it wrong, that's important for me." He described the overwhelming public support as incredible, noting that 99.5% of people agree with his actions.
A Metroline spokesperson responded, "The tribunal has upheld the dismissal as fair. The claimant breached protocols designed to keep staff and passengers safe, which is our priority." Mr Hehir, however, remains steadfast in his belief that justice has not been served, asserting that his actions were justified in protecting a vulnerable passenger.
