Tube driver suspended after leading pro Palestine chant

A tube driver has been suspended pending further investigation, after it was discovered the individual was leading passengers in a chant of “free, free Palestine” whilst on duty.

The incident occurred in a London Underground train on Saturday when over 100,000 protesters took part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in the capital, as the Israel-Hamas war is in full force.

The Israeli Embassy 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.”

According to news agency PA, a journalist posted a clip online where the tube driver can be heard chanting over the train’s speaker system in the Central Line service.

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.”

The driver appeared to be saying “free, free” as passengers responded “Palestine”.

Minister for London Paul Scully criticised the incident saying that tube staff need to “focus on the day job” and suggested that fueling tension in the capital is unacceptable.

British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan said on Saturday that the force is “aware of footage circulating on social media which suggests chants are led by driver of a train in London earlier” and an investigation is being conducted.