MP asks for Government reassurances against ‘far-right rhetoric’ after two Wolverhampton taxi drivers attacked
- Perry Richardson
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Two Sikh taxi drivers were attacked outside Wolverhampton train station over the summer, prompting concerns about community safety and the rise of far-right rhetoric.
Warinder Juss, Labour MP for Wolverhampton West, raised the matter in the House of Commons this week. He told MPs that one of the victims is his constituent and highlighted how the attacks have left the local community feeling vulnerable.
British Transport Police were praised for their swift response, with arrests made shortly after the incident. According to the MP, pfficers confirmed that the assaults were racially motivated.
Juss called on the Government to take further steps to tackle hate crime and sought assurances that cases of racial prejudice and discrimination are treated with the utmost seriousness.
The attacks have raised wider concerns among Wolverhampton’s taxi trade, where many drivers come from minority backgrounds and often work late hours in vulnerable settings.
Juss MP said: “Over the summer recess, two older Sikh taxi drivers were attacked outside Wolverhampton train station, one of whom is a constituent of mine. Although I commend British Transport police for making arrests quickly, meeting me and acknowledging that the attacks were racially motivated, many people, including me, were shocked and horrified by the nature of the attacks, which have made the local community feel vulnerable, particularly in light of the far-right rhetoric that has recently been spreading.
“Will the Leader of the House arrange a meeting with the relevant Minister so that I can reassure my constituents that the Government treat hate crime with the utmost seriousness and will do all in their power to tackle racial prejudice and discrimination?”
Responding, Lucy Powell, Leader of the House of Commons, said: “No one should ever be a victim of hatred because of their race or religion. We need to combat and stand up to rhetoric and campaigns that can make people feel insecure in their communities.”
Powell also agreed to work with Juss to ensure a meeting with the relevant minister is arranged, so the matter can be addressed directly.
