TfL working with police to investigate footage appearing to show Tube driver lead ‘Free Palestine’ chants

British Transport Police (BTP) and Transport for London (TfL) have said they are investigating footage which appears to show a Tube driver leading chants of “Free Palestine” on a busy train.

In the video, which has been circulating on social media, passengers on a packed Central line carriage can seemingly be heard shouting “Palestine” in response to calls of “free, free” voiced over the PA system.

The driver can then be heard telling people to “look after yourselves” and “keep all those people in your prayers”.

Commenting on X, formerly Twitter, minister for London Paul Scully wrote: "At a time when there's not enough emphasis on the difference between the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas & the legitimate concerns of Palestinians in Gaza, it's really important that Londoners don't stoke the tension in our capital where Jews live peacefully alongside Muslims."

Asked about the footage, a TfL spokesperson said: “We are committed to providing a safe network for everyone and want to make it clear that London is open to everyone.

“We are aware of footage circulating on social media that suggests political comments may have been made by one of our Tube drivers. We are working to scrutinise the footage and ensure the circumstances are urgently investigated.”

BTP assistant chief constable Sean O'Callaghan said: "BTP are aware of footage circulating on social media which suggests chants are led by driver of a train in London.

"BTP are working with Transport for London and investigating the matter."

A pro-Palestine march was held yesterday (October 21) in cities including London, where an estimated 100,000 people joined the demonstration from Marble Arch to Whitehall.

Figures released on Friday indicated hate crimes in London have surged amid the conflict in the Middle East, with cases of antisemitism and Islamophobia increasing by 1,353% and 140% this month compared to the same period last year.

Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, more than 1,400 Israelis and 4,300 Palestinians are reported to have been killed. Israel cut off supplies of fuel, electricity and water to Gaza following the attack, with the first aid deliveries reaching the city in the last couple of days.

Mohammed Kozbar, chairman of Finsbury Park Mosque, earlier this week urged British politicians to call for an immediate ceasefire “so many innocent lives from both sides can be saved”.