Taxi driver refuses to take disabled passenger with his guide dog ‘because it’s against his religion’
Blind man claims denying him is 'against the disability act'
A TAXI driver refused to pick up a disabled man with his guide dog after claiming it would be "against his religion".
Charles Bloch, who is registered blind, couldn't make the cabbie change his mind despite telling him his decision was "against the disability act".
Mr Bloch's girlfriend Jessica, who is also registered blind, filmed her partner confront the driver as he tells him "by law you can't deny us".
The couple, who live in Leicester city centre, had called ADT Taxis to be picked up.
But the driver, who appears to be Muslim, told him: "Me, I do not take the dog. It's a choice for me.
"For me it's about my religion".
Mr Bloch, 22, who is stood in the road and clearly frustrated by the cabbie, tells him his decision is "against the disability act of 1995".
Despite their pleas, the driver refuses to take the couple and tells them he will call head office before making a decision.
The driver, who has not been identified, can be heard asking someone if another car can be sent.
Mr Bloch insists he doesn't want another car and wants to be taken in the one he ordered.
Before the footage ends Mr Bloch shouts: "If you drive away I'll sue you".
The driver then responds: "Yeah, I'm ready to talk to the police."
Mr Bloch then appears to bang the side of the cab before the taxi driver accelerates away up the road.
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Footage of the couple's experience has been shared on Facebook and Twitter more than a million times.
People have commented that the Disability Discrimination Act makes it illegal for minicab drivers to deny to carry guide dogs for blind passengers.
Mr Bloch said he and his partner often have problems with cabs because they have an assistance dog with them.
: "Every time we have to ring a cab our hearts sink because we wonder what reaction we will get.
"We are both very angry and upset about this. It is not good enough in 2016."
ADT Taxis has apologised for the couple's experience with their firm, and said the driver was only with them on a freelance basis.
Darren Green, an office manager for the company, said: "We very much regret this.
"The driver, who is self-employed, has only been with us for two months.
"We will not use him again after this. We have 150 driver working for us and have reported him to the council."
'Deeply ashamed' firm apologises for driver's behaviour
ADT Taxis posted this full statement on Facebook
We are deeply ashamed of the conduct of this Leicester City Council licensed driver, and he clearly broke the law after not accepting a booking we gave to him on religious grounds, and has been dispensed with, as well as being reported to the council. The driver is now free to work for any firm he chooses. Our policy is clear, we do not discriminate, however in the taxi trade drivers are self employed and free to take work from any source, ie Uber / any other private hire firm. If we have drivers reported to us for breaking terms of their license, we cut them off from our bookings system and no longer use their service. The manager is contacting the customer concerned, and will offer him a full apology and some free journeys.
The video has attracted comments from fellow cabbies and members of the public who have been "disgusted" by the footage.
While Derek Deka O'Connor wrote: "He shouldn't be allowed to work in the taxi trade, he should have his badge taken off him as he will probably do it to someone else, when you accept your badge you accept that you will not discriminate against anyone."
Kay Duggan wrote: "As a taxi driver myself I am totally disgusted at the treatment of this young man and his 'special' dog"!! It says in your licence conditions you have got to take guide dogs!!!"