A London Underground driver who appeared to lead passengers in a chant of "free Palestine" on a Tube train has been suspended, Transport for London (TfL) has said.
According to social media footage from Saturday, the driver of the Central Line service said "free, free" to which the passengers responded "Palestine".
The video appeared to show the chant being led over the train's speaker system.
Glynn Barton, TfL's chief operating officer, said: "We have been urgently and thoroughly investigating the footage appearing to show a Tube driver misusing the PA system and leading chants on a Central Line train on Saturday.
"A driver has now been identified and suspended whilst we continue to fully investigate the incident in line with our policies and procedures."
“Free Free Palestine” @TfL London Underground Tube’s driver lead the passengers in a chant, he said I wanted to join the protest but couldn’t get the day off. #LondonStandsWithPalestine #Palestine #Israel #غزة_تستغيث #فلسطين_الان pic.twitter.com/62jx8xLtyz
— Farid Ahmed (Qureshi) (@FaridQureshi_UK) October 21, 2023
The British Transport Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said the force was "aware of footage circulating on social media which suggests chants are led by driver of a train in London earlier".
The Israeli Embassy in London criticised the chant and said: "It is deeply troubling to see such intolerance on London's Tubes. Public transport should be a place of safety and inclusivity for all."
Paul Scully, Minister for London, said Tube staff should "focus on the day job" and warned against stoking tension in the capital.
The incident occurred as around 100,000 protesters took part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Marble Arch.
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