Fury as Tube driver who led anti-Israel chants over train tannoy escapes sacking after Transport for London probe

A TUBE driver who led anti-Israel chants over a train tannoy has escaped sacking after a Transport for London probe.

Footage of the London Underground worker chanting “Free, Free Palestine” went viral in October.

TfL suspended the driver while it probed the chants – but has now let him keep his job.

A spokesperson said the transport operator made “a thorough internal investigation in accordance with our agreed formal processes.”

They added: “Disciplinary action has been taken with regard to the driver who made announcements on the Central line on 21 October 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.

“We will do all we can to continue to ensure that.”

Back when the clip first appeared, TfL boss Glynn Barton said: “We have been urgently and thoroughly investigating the footage.

“It appears 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.”

At least 20,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli bombing since Hamas’s rampage on October 7, according to the World Health Organisation.

Labour’s London mayor Sadiq Khan’s rival Susan Hall slammed the decision to allow the driver to keep his job.

The Conservative candidate told The Sun: “Personally, I would term that as gross misconduct.

“It’s not for someone to spout that sort of thing as a train driver.

“To make comments like that which can cause that amount of problems on a train is totally unacceptable.

“It’s a situation that is highly flammable… anyone on that train who was Jewish would’ve felt very frightened.

“What he said was absolutely outrageous.”

Asked if Mr Khan should intervene, Ms Hall added: “I think Sadiq Khan is too busy finding £30m down the back of a sofa bailing his friends in the unions out.

“He’s far too interested in intervening in other things as opposed to getting involved in something like this.”

A spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism added: “This driver’s conduct was grossly unprofessional.

“Imagine being a Jewish person on that train, not only intimidated by the numerous demonstrators around you but also in the knowledge that you might not be able to rely on the very TfL staff tasked with your safety.

“This incident was a disgrace to TfL, and coming at a time of heightened tension in London, it was downright dangerous.

“TfL should have fired this driver.

“Jewish passengers deserve to have confidence in the capital’s public transport just like everybody else.”