UK: Actress says taxi driver took her wheelchair away

[watty]

Ruth Madeley: Actress says taxi driver took her wheelchair away (BBC)

Actress Ruth Madeley has told of how a taxi driver took her wheelchair away following an argument outside London's Euston station last month.  The Bafta nominee said the driver told her it was "too difficult" to drop her at an accessible entrance and it wasn't his problem if she couldn't use stairs.  After a dispute over payment, she said he then took her wheelchair, put it in his boot and refused to give it back.  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."

<snip>

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 at the end of June 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.

[silverbullet]

Ruth Madeley: Actress says taxi driver took her wheelchair away (BBC)

Actress Ruth Madeley has told of how a taxi driver took her wheelchair away following an argument outside London's Euston station last month.  The Bafta nominee said the driver told her it was "too difficult" to drop her at an accessible entrance and it wasn't his problem if she couldn't use stairs.  After a dispute over payment, she said he then took her wheelchair, put it in his boot and refused to give it back.  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."

<snip>

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 at the end of June 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.

Can't take the reporter seriously.

By Keiligh Baker and Alex Taylor
BBC Ouch and BBC entertainment reporter

Coincidentally, her surname is an anagram of mine.

[Octavia1]

 " I'm a victim " ....

[silverbullet]

" I'm a victim " ....

Oh, wheely?

[watty]

Can't take the reporter seriously.

By Keiligh Baker and Alex Taylor
BBC Ouch and BBC entertainment reporter

Coincidentally, her surname is an anagram of mine.

Ouch is part of the News website that aims to cover disability news and features, serving both the disabled audience and also the wider audience. It does this through text articles and features, and also by producing a monthly talk show. The Ouch Disability team is an expanding part of the News website that aims to cover disability news in a way that is distinctive for its depth, high production values and tone.

from https://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/job/broadcast-journalist-ouch/7728

I wonder what "Ouch" stands for?

[silverbullet]

Can't take the reporter seriously.

By Keiligh Baker and Alex Taylor
BBC Ouch and BBC entertainment reporter

Coincidentally, her surname is an anagram of mine.

Ouch is part of the News website that aims to cover disability news and features, serving both the disabled audience and also the wider audience. It does this through text articles and features, and also by producing a monthly talk show. The Ouch Disability team is an expanding part of the News website that aims to cover disability news in a way that is distinctive for its depth, high production values and tone.

from https://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/job/broadcast-journalist-ouch/7728

I wonder what "Ouch" stands for?

Ouch potato?

[Belker]

"Actress Ruth Madeley has told of how a taxi driver took her wheelchair away following an argument outside London's Euston station last month.  The Bafta nominee said the driver told her it was "too difficult" to drop her at an accessible entrance and it wasn't his problem if she couldn't use stairs.  After a dispute over payment, she said he then took her wheelchair, put it in his boot and refused to give it back."

The story ain't adding up fer me ??
I have done many wheelchair jobs over the years in both a wheelchair bus where the passenger stays in the wheelchair and is strapped in, and also in a saloon cab where the disabled passenger hoists themself into the cab and the driver puts the wheelchair in the boot.

How did the driver take her wheelchair from her ?
Did he give it back in the end ?
Did she pay her full fare ?

It's a very one-sided story, I would like to hear the drivers side.

[Octavia1]

"Actress Ruth Madeley has told of how a taxi driver took her wheelchair away following an argument outside London's Euston station last month.  The Bafta nominee said the driver told her it was "too difficult" to drop her at an accessible entrance and it wasn't his problem if she couldn't use stairs.  After a dispute over payment, she said he then took her wheelchair, put it in his boot and refused to give it back."

The story ain't adding up fer me ??
I have done many wheelchair jobs over the years in both a wheelchair bus where the passenger stays in the wheelchair and is strapped in, and also in a saloon cab where the disabled passenger hoists themself into the cab and the driver puts the wheelchair in the boot.

How did the driver take her wheelchair from her ?
Did he give it back in the end ?
Did she pay her full fare ?

It's a very one-sided story, I would like to hear the drivers side.

Thers "karens" in wheel chairs too Ken  ........dangerous cnuts
.....he's already lost cause she's using her disability again him an the law  to punish him by proxy .....my guess ....she was an out an out cnut out for blood that mornin  .....
She is able to walk too apparently

[silverbullet]

"Actress Ruth Madeley has told of how a taxi driver took her wheelchair away following an argument outside London's Euston station last month.  The Bafta nominee said the driver told her it was "too difficult" to drop her at an accessible entrance and it wasn't his problem if she couldn't use stairs.  After a dispute over payment, she said he then took her wheelchair, put it in his boot and refused to give it back."

The story ain't adding up fer me ??
I have done many wheelchair jobs over the years in both a wheelchair bus where the passenger stays in the wheelchair and is strapped in, and also in a saloon cab where the disabled passenger hoists themself into the cab and the driver puts the wheelchair in the boot.

How did the driver take her wheelchair from her ?
Did he give it back in the end ?
Did she pay her full fare ?

It's a very one-sided story, I would like to hear the drivers side.

Thers "karens" in wheel chairs too Ken  ........dangerous cnuts
.....he's already lost cause she's using her disability again him an the law  to punish him by proxy .....my guess ....she was an out an out cnut out for blood that mornin  .....
She is able to walk too apparently

Did Biffo mention it was a mini cab?

[Belker]

I'm losing confidence in the ladies statement, I sincerely doubt that London's Euston train station has any stairs which are unaccesable to wheelchair users.

[mercenary for hire]

He should have just deflated her tyres instead.

[Shallowhal]

I'm losing confidence in the ladies statement, I sincerely doubt that London's Euston train station has any stairs which are unaccesable to wheelchair users.

I hate these snippets of info,it's essentially click bait,it amazes me that she went straight to the press..no doubt through her agent...to complain,but that's par for the course these days.

[silverbullet]

I'm losing confidence in the ladies statement, I sincerely doubt that London's Euston train station has any stairs which are unaccesable to wheelchair users.

I hate these snippets of info,it's essentially click bait,it amazes me that she went straight to the press..no doubt through her agent...to complain,but that's par for the course these days.

https://hungryman.com/directors/steve-bendelack/longform/little-britain-swimming-pool/

[Rat Catcher]

She hasn't a leg to stand on.