Kate Green MP, Labour’s Shadow Women and Equalities Minister, has today written to Patrick McLoughlin calling on him to write directly to bus companies and transport bodies to seek assurance that guidance is in place to enable staff to correctly identify, deal with and report racist abuse following the racist incident on a London bus this week.

 The full text of the letter is below:

 Dear Secretary of State,

 I write to you following the shocking incident last week when a pregnant woman and her friend suffered appalling racist abuse on a London bus. I am concerned, as I know you will be, that the member of staff involved did not appear to recognise and deal with the incident as a racist incident at the time, but apparently simply as a non-racist verbal fracas.

 It is important that every citizen should feel confident that they are able to travel on public transport without fear of racist abuse or harassment. Passengers must feel safe in the knowledge that front line staff will be able to identify and report racist incidents immediately to ensure passenger safety and well being.I should be grateful therefore to know what action the government has taken to tackle racism and discrimination on public transport and what further steps you will take in the light of events last week.

 May I have your assurance that following this incident you will write directly to bus companies and other transport bodies to seek assurance that proper guidance is in place to enable staff to correctly identify, deal with and report racist abuse?

 I look forward to hearing from you.

 Yours sincerely

Kate Green MP