Seems to be a cross party consensus on the issue - the Justice Secretary regards him as a hero.

The Metropolitan Police considered his actions "proportionate and necessary in the circumstances".

I would totally agree with this.

If the disciplinary had been based on the part I have highlighted that may have warranted a verbal warning.

The action by his employer HR aka Human Remains dept literally applying the rule book and being over zealous, they probably did not speak to the Public Relations team before taking action, the PR team now having to carryout the damage control while the HR team are in the pub celebrating success 

I've chosen to post this news item here, on our 'Transport for London' board, as it relates specifically to their area of authority. Nevertheless, it is relevant to all areas of public transport in the uk.

From the BBC:


If the disciplinary had been based on the part I have highlighted that may have warranted a verbale warning.

The action by his employer HR aka Human Remains dept literally applying the rule book and being over zealous, they probably did not speak to the Public Relations team before taking action, the PR team now having to carryout the damage control while the HR team are in the pub celebrating success 

Shameless from Kemi Badenoch.

Essentially ignoring the outcome of an independent tribunal.

And now promoting a vigilantes charter on the back of this incident. Good Samaritan charter my arse.

Plan to move Stranraer rail station away from old ferry terminal

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The new station would be brought closer to the town centre

Provisional plans have been unveiled for the potential development of a new railway station in Stranraer.

Network Rail wants to relocate the existing platform away from a former terminal on the East Pier which saw the last ferry leave nearly 15 years ago.

Architects have produced options for two sites - both of them closer to the town centre and linked to a new mobility hub. The project - which it is hoped could be delivered for under £5m - would be based on a new modular design concept to deliver a modern and visually-attractive building, and support local regeneration.

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The community has campaigned to move the station after the ferry terminal it served closed in 2011

The current station is located on a pier at Stranraer harbour. In 2011, the ferry terminal was relocated along the coast at Cairnryan leaving the facility "feeling remote from the town centre".

Since then, the community has campaigned to relocate the station closer to the heart of Stranraer - currently about 15 minutes' walk away. Among the key considerations for its replacement have been better connection to the town centre, an improved passenger experience and capacity to accommodate charter trains. The details of the plan are included in a Network Rail feasibility study.

Matthew Powell, the firm's head of sponsorship, outlined the proposals to the region's transport partnership, Swestrans. He said they were "keen to move quite quickly" with the latest plans.

Powell added that, having spoken to charter train operators, the distance from the station to the town was a major concern whereas a facility nearer the centre could "bring value" to the area. He added that they hoped it could be more than just a functional station.

(BBC article continues)

'Bus driver who punched thief made me feel safe'

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Katalin Kaszas says Mark Hehir helped her in a "very, very scary" situation

A woman whose necklace was stolen by a bus passenger who was then knocked unconscious by the driver has said she is "extremely grateful" to him for intervening in what was a "terrifying" situation.

Katalin Kaszas spoke to BBC London at Parliament earlier on Tuesday, where the driver Mark Hehir - who went on to be sacked over the June 2024 incident - had been invited by shadow justice minister Dr Kieran Mullan. Kaszas described how the thief snatched her necklace as she boarded the 206 bus in north-west London.

Hehir, who left the bus to chase the thief, has previously described how he struck him in an act of self-defence after the thief tried to hit him. Hehir was dismissed by his employer, Metroline, for gross misconduct, a decision that went on to be upheld at an employment tribunal.

Kaszas, who explained how the events unfolded, said she had initially thought the passenger was about to push her off the bus. The 46-year-old said she "didn't even realise" her necklace had been snatched from her neck until she looked down. "Your brain doesn't catch up that quick. You're still trying to understand what's happened," Kaszas said.

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Kaszas says she is extremely grateful to Hehir, who now works as a barman

She said after Hehir chased the thief and returned with her necklace, the man then came back towards her. "I was screaming, telling him to stay away from me," Kaszas said, adding: "His face was bad news. It was very, very scary at that point."

Kaszas described how Hehir then stepped between her and the man. "He kept the guy back," she said. She added: "I'm a single mum. I'm the only one my daughter has. If something happens to me, it happens to her. He made me feel safe and since there is no Mark on the buses, I don't feel that safe any more because I know the next driver isn't going to step off the bus to protect me because he's going to lose his job."

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Kieran Mullan (left) introduced Hehir to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch in Parliament

CCTV evidence played at the tribunal showed the thief throwing a punch at Hehir. "I noticed him making a left swing, so on instinct I retaliated with a right," the 62-year-old said.

Both Hehir and the passenger were arrested over the altercation, which happened between Wembley and Maida Vale.

Hehir, who is originally from County Limerick and now lives in Wembley, was later released and told he would not face further police action.

The day after the incident, on 25 June 2024, Hehir was suspended from duty and told to attend an investigation. He was later dismissed.

The subsequent employment tribunal heard from the Met Police, which said Hehir's response had been "proportionate and necessary in the circumstances".

(BBC article continues)