28 July 2010

Claim of 'Islamic veil bus ban' thrown out

A bus driver accused by two students of banning them because of their Islamic dress has been cleared after CCTV showed he had actually barred them for their abusive behaviour.

An investigation by Metroline - which operates the No7 bus - found the driver, who could have faced the sack over the allegation, was justified in not allowing the women on his vehicle.

The 22-year-olds, Yasmin and Atoofa, from Slough, told the BBC that they had been refused access to the bus at Russell Square because of their dress. Yasmin was wearing a hijab and her face was uncovered while Atoofa was wearing a niqab, which covers the face. [London Evening Standard] Read more

London bus operator refutes "veil row" The bus company at the centre of a row over claims that it denied two Muslim women entry to a bus because one of them was wearing a face veil has rejected allegations of discrimination.

Metroline said the two women were prevented from boarding the bus because they were abusive towards the driver and other passengers, not because of their dress.

CCTV footage of the incident shows the two women trying to board the No. 7 bus and banging on the door when it was not in service, Metroline said. The driver turned them away after they became argumentative and shouted at him, it added.[Reuters] Read more