Hackney (Parliament Politics Magazine) – An Orthodox Jewish man says a Hackney bus driver locked him inside the vehicle for about an hour, subjecting him to antisemitic abuse, sparking outrage and calls for an investigation.
David Abraham, 52, claimed that he lost his bank card in the driver’s cab of the 149 bus on Stoke Newington Road in Hackney at 13:35 GMT on Monday.
He claimed that after telling him, “You look like a Mossad agent,” the machine motorist refused to return it and also called the Metropolitan Police.
The motorist’s conduct was supposed” inferior” by Transport for London (TfL), which suspended him pending the conclusion of a disquisition. The act was reported as a hate crime, according to the Met Police.
Officers responded to the scene, according to a Met prophet.
They added:
“No crime was reported at the scene, but the following day a 52-year-old man reported the incident to police as a hate crime.”
Mr Abraham said the incident left him feeling “scared” to go out again.
He told BBC London:
“I went to the driver and ask ‘please can I have my bank card?’
He said ‘get out, I don’t like Jewish people you look like a Mossad agent’. I said ‘why you say that?’ So I was shocked.”
Mr Abraham said when the police arrived, the driver initially refused to open his cab to allow officers to retrieve his card.
He said:
“The driver said, ‘no, no, no. I don’t want to give you the card. If you want to take that card, open this door, take that card. But me, I will not give you the card.’ So the officer opened the door. They (the police officer) just take the card.”
TfL said:
“We take a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse and work closely with the police to pursue anyone who is abusive to our customers or staff.
We are supporting the police and the bus operator, Arriva, while they investigate and take appropriate formal action,”
their spokesperson added.
A spokesperson for Arriva London Bus confirmed that an investigation was launched as soon as the incident was reported, and the driver was suspended pending the investigation’s outcome.
“We are taking it extremely seriously and we will take all appropriate action once our investigation has concluded,”
they said.
“We are a responsible employer, and we expect the highest standards from our drivers.
We never tolerate abuse in any of its forms and we will always deal with any incidents swiftly and robustly.”
The Met Police said:
“On Monday, 27 October at 14:03 police were called to reports of a verbal dispute between two men on a bus travelling in Stamford Hill, Hackney.
No arrests have been made. An investigation is under way and anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 3847/27OCT25.”
What legal actions can the passenger pursue against the driver or operator?
Locking the passenger inside the machine for about an hour can be grounds for a civil claim of false imprisonment, as it unlawfully confined the passenger’s freedom of movement. The passenger may sue for importunity and demarcation under the Equality Act 2010, which protects against antisemitic demarcation by individualities and service providers.
The machine driver has a duty of care to passengers, and failing to help or instantly address similar abuse can support claims of negligence. The driver may also be liable for the motorist’s conduct under vicarious liability principles. The passenger can file formal complaints with Transport for London and the applicable employment or transport controllers, egging internal correctional measures, dormancies, or cancellation of licenses.
Given the nature of the abuse and confinement, claims for compensation due to emotional torture or cerebral detriment may be pursued.