Sadiq Khan must ‘protect Jewish commuters’ after Charedi man locked in London bus, says former attorney-general

"Passengers have a right to expect to be treated fairly and courteously by a bus company free from prejudice.

"TfL must act quickly and decisively to demonstrate that there is zero tolerance of Jew hatred on the capital’s buses.”

Former Attorney-General Sir Michael Ellis added: “The police should be investigating this distressing incident as an alleged offence of false imprisonment.

"This is just the latest in a series of allegations of anti-Jewish hatred on public transport in London – and it requires an urgent response.

"What is Sadiq Khan doing as Mayor of London to protect Jewish commuters? In the last couple of years, there have been allegations of buses not stopping for visibly Jewish children as well as incidents on the London Underground."

Ellis continued: "London’s international reputation has already been tarnished by the treatment of its Jewish population in the past two years.

"This latest upsetting incident must be properly investigated, and justice must take its course.”

Richard Holden MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, echoed Ellis' comments, saying: “The rise in antisemitic abuse across our country in recent years brings shame on Britain, and sadly, this case is yet another appalling example.

"In just the first six months of this year, more than 1,500 antisemitic incidents were recorded. A shameful reflection of Labour’s failure to act.

“The Mayor of London, TfL and the Metropolitan Police don’t just need to urgently investigate this case, they need to show they’re serious about tackling antisemitism in our capital - because when hate like this goes unchecked, it spreads, and that’s not the London any of us should have to accept.”

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The Mayor is clear that antisemitism has no place whatsoever in our society and we must do everything we can to tackle all hate crime which can have such a corrosive impact on communities.

“That’s why Sadiq is leading from the front to ensure the police take a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism and all other hate crimes, by investing a record £16million in combating hatred, intolerance and extremism in all its forms and support for grassroots community groups to stand up to hate.

“Transport for London is urgently looking into this incident on a bus in Stamford Hill and assisting the bus operator, Aviva, with its investigation. The Mayor will continue to work closely with the Met, TfL, faith leaders and communities across our city to stamp out antisemitism and hate crime in all its forms, as we build a safer London for all.”