Taxi driver sacked after 'fly-tipping' video shared

A taxi driver has been sacked after video footage posted online appeared to show him fly-tipping in a lay-by in Derbyshire.

The incident, which was recorded at about 15:40 BST on 8 April, shows a man confronting the driver and telling him to put broken paving slabs back in his taxi in Twyford Road near Willington.

His employer, Derby-based Western Cars, said the driver was immediately suspended and was now no longer working under the brand following an investigation.

The driver is licensed by Derby City Council, which said it was investigating the matter.

South Derbyshire District Council did not respond when asked to comment.

The video posted online shows footage of a Western Cars-branded taxi parked up in the lay-by and with the driver confronted by the man filming it.

The driver denies putting the broken paving slabs under the hedgerow but the footage appears to show more paving slabs in the boot of his taxi.

Western Cars said it suspended the driver on 9 April pending an investigation and also notified local authorities about the video.

The firm added it found the fly-tipping site had been cleared when it visited the following day.

"Following our internal review process, the driver in question is no longer affiliated with Western Cars," the company said in a Facebook post on Monday.

"Our drivers operate as self-employed contractors, whilst representing our brand, and we uphold clear standards regarding professional conduct across our operation.

"We understand that the relevant local authorities are conducting their own enquiries into the matter. We are cooperating fully with these enquiries and will continue to do so as required."

A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: "As the taxi driver is licensed in Derby, we have been advised of the incident and are currently looking into it."

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