London Assembly Unanimously Demands Mayor Apologise to Sacked Bus Driver
The London Assembly has issued a unanimous demand for Mayor Sadiq Khan to formally apologise to former bus driver Mark Hehir, who was dismissed after chasing down a thief who stole a passenger's necklace. Members passed a motion praising the 62-year-old driver as a 'hero' and called for an urgent investigation into his controversial firing by operator Metroline.
Assembly Calls for Reinstatement and Clear Guidelines
The motion specifically urges Mayor Khan and Transport for London to apply pressure on Metroline to either reinstate Mr Hehir or provide appropriate compensation. Furthermore, it demands the establishment of clear guidance for transport workers regarding their responsibilities when protecting passengers from criminal activity.
Assembly member Keith Prince, who brought forward the motion, emphasised that this issue transcends individual cases. "This is not about encouraging reckless behaviour," he stated. "It is about whether we are comfortable with a system that punishes frontline workers for stepping in when crime happens right in front of them. By supporting this motion unanimously, the Assembly has sent a clear message that public concern, common sense, and fairness still matter."
The Incident That Sparked Outrage
The controversy stems from an incident in June 2024, when Mr Hehir was driving the 206 bus route between Wembley and Maida Vale. A man brushed past a young woman boarding the bus and snatched her necklace before fleeing. Mr Hehir made a split-second decision to pursue the alleged thief, successfully recovering the jewellery.
When the man later returned and approached the 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 at the scene.
Aftermath and Dismissal
The following day, Metroline suspended Mr Hehir and subsequently terminated his employment. The driver required hospitalisation for six days and underwent two surgeries due to an infection from a bite wound sustained during the altercation. "I ended up in ICU," Mr Hehir revealed. "I had two operations on my hand because of the infection. I was very, very close to losing my hand."
Despite his actions being widely praised by the public, an employment tribunal upheld Metroline's decision to dismiss him. The bus operator maintains that the tribunal found the dismissal fair, though this has done little to quell public anger.
Growing Political and Public Support
The case has attracted significant political attention. Shadow justice minister Dr Kieran Mullan, shadow transport minister Richard Holden, and London Assembly member Susan Hall have collectively written to Mayor Khan demanding "serious consideration of reinstatement or appropriate compensation." Mr Hehir has also met with Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch in the House of Commons.
Public support has been overwhelming. A petition backing the driver has garnered more than 135,000 signatures, while a GoFundMe page has raised over £40,000 to support him. Justice Secretary David Lammy has publicly declared Mr Hehir "a hero and deserves our support."
Passenger's Distress and Driver's Reflections
Passenger Katalin Kaszas, whose necklace was stolen, expressed profound distress upon learning of the driver's dismissal. "I think it was unjust. I don't think Mr Hehir deserved that," she said. "If he didn't do what he did, anything could have happened to me. I felt so guilty. I felt that it was my fault – I caused all this."
Mr Hehir, who previously volunteered in Ukraine following Russia's invasion, stated that the incident has completely tarnished a job he loved. "I enjoyed my job," he reflected. "I got to know the people, you know the stops, who is getting on, you build a rapport with your customers and they took all that away." He added that while he would consider repeating his actions, the subsequent ordeal makes it "impossible to know" for certain.
The driver has called for Metroline to apologise and admit they "might have got it wrong," alongside compensation for lost earnings. He described bus driving as "an underpaid tough job" and expressed gratitude for the "incredible" online support, though he rejects the 'hero' label.
Political Proposals and Mayoral Response
The Conservative Party has announced plans to introduce Good Samaritan protections in civil law for both employers and employees, a direct response to this case. Meanwhile, Mayor Sadiq Khan is required to formally respond to the Assembly's motion, though he is not obligated to accept its recommendations. The Mayor's office has been approached for comment regarding the growing demands for action.
