Sponsored by
Bus driver arrested after passenger claims he called her a Muslim terrorist
POLICE have arrested a Yorkshire bus driver who allegedly called a woman passenger a Muslim terrorist and asked her if she had put a bomb on his bus.
Turkish-born caf worker Hatice McGraffin, 29, claims the driver looked directly at her and said, "You're an Islamic terrorist, you've put a bomb on the bus", then began swearing at her.
Mrs McGraffin, from Otley, said: "I couldn't believe it. I'm not even a practising Muslim and I'm married to an Englishman. I work hard and I try to fit in as best I can.
"I got off the bus and went to work, but I was so upset I couldn't get anything done. I was crying so much and my hands were shaking."
Police said a 45-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of racially, religiously aggravated assault and had been bailed pending further inquiries.
Mrs McGraffin, who has lived in Britain for seven years, said: "This is the first time in my life I have been insulted like this. There are lots of Muslims living in this country, and they are not all terrorists, but now I keep thinking people are staring at me and calling me a bomber behind my back."
First Buses said the driver had been "removed from duty" while the incident was investigated.
A First spokesman said: "This is a serious allegation made against one of our staff members. An immediate and thorough internal investigation will now take place.
"We will also offer our full support to West Yorkshire Police for any external inquiry they carry out."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Exclusive: Grayson takes lower deal from Leeds to make quick return with Huddersfield - Have your say
- Toddler ‘killed by poison used for his mum’s cannabis’
- Video: Scargill wins £13,000 damages after NUM ‘tried to disown him’
- Boy of 7 accused of racism for asking classmate why he is brown
- Court told welfare fears for pupils led to sacking
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Thursday 23 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
