The London tube driver who led a “free Palestine” chant over the train’s speaker system in October has been reinstated after “apologising to faith leaders”, Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed.
According to footage that emerged on social media in October, the unidentified driver of the Central Line service could be heard saying, “Free, Free” to which passengers responded “Palestine”, just two weeks after the Hamas massacre.
TfL suspended the driver following the viral incident and launched an investigation into his conduct.
A TfL spokesperson said on Wednesday: “We can confirm that, following a thorough internal investigation in accordance with our agreed formal process, disciplinary action has been taken with regard to the driver who made announcements on the Central line on October 21 last year.
“The driver has also written to faith groups that we have been engaging with since October to apologise for the announcements and for the impact they had on some customers travelling on the train and in the wider community.
“It is critically important to everyone at TfL that our network feels, and is, a safe and welcoming place for all Londoners, and we will do all we can to continue to ensure that.”
Tube driver leads a chant of “Free Palestine” over the tannoy in London.
— Turning Point UK 🇬🇧 (@TPointUK) October 21, 2023
Jewish or Israeli people on this tube would not feel safe.
Shame on the TFL and shame on Sadiq Khan for creating a culture of fear in London. pic.twitter.com/G34H3v9WpK
The October incident was seen by several million people across social media platforms.
The Israeli Embassy in London at the time lambasted the incident as “deeply troubling”, while security minister Tom Tugendhat said many would find it “intimidating.” Paul Scully, then Minister for London, said tube staff should “focus on the day job” and warned against stoking tension in the capital.
