Yahoo
Actress Ruth Madeley has revealed a taxi driver took her wheelchair away following an argument after refusing to drive her to an accessible entrance.
Posting about the incident at London’s Euston train station last month, Bafta-nominated Madeley said the driver believed that because he’d seen her stand, he “knew [she] could walk”.
She added the driver then demanded an extra fee and took her wheelchair away.
Transport for London has apologised for the “utterly appalling” incident.
Graham Robinson, TfL’s general manager for taxi and private hire, said: “We have contacted Ruth for more details so we can carry out a full and urgent investigation.”
The British actress, who was nominated for a Bafta for her breakthrough role in the BBC’s Don’t Take My Baby before starring in 2019’s Years and Years, wrote on Instagram: “When I told [the driver] that I can’t manage stairs, he proceeded to tell me that it was my problem not his.
“As if this wasn’t traumatic enough, he demanded his fare even though the journey had been prepaid.”
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The actress’s mother, who was travelling with her, managed to recover the wheelchair, although the driver “tried his best to stop her”, Madeley said.
Taxis and designated wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles have a legal duty to carry wheelchair users in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. This includes a duty to provide mobility assistance without additional charge.
Madeley said that when she tried to report the incident to the Metropolitan Police, she was told it was not a hate crime and that no criminal act had taken place.
She added: “I was shut down and made to feel as though I was making a fuss over nothing.
“After more fighting & asking for support, the police told me that nothing can be done. No warning to the taxi driver or the firm, no accountability, no consequences…”
A Met spokesperson confirmed to the BBC that, while appreciating the upset caused, the force would not investigate because the incident is “not a criminal matter”.
The incident took place on the day that it was announced Madeley is to star in BBC Two’s forthcoming factual drama Independence Day? How Disabled Rights Were Won.
Marking the passing of the Disability Discrimination Act, the film is based on the true story of the people behind a campaign of direct action that lead to significant steps forward in the battle for disabled civil rights in Britain.
Madeley said her experience reflected the discrimination experienced by disabled people “every single day” and was “clear proof that the fight for disability rights is far from over”.
This news originally appeared in Yahoo.
