A Derby private hire driver has been dismissed by Western Cars after a viral TikTok video appeared to show him fly-tipping broken paving slabs in a layby.
The incident allegedly took place at around 3:40pm on Monday 8 April, on Twyford Road near Willington, Derbyshire. The footage captures a member of the public confronting the driver and urging him to retrieve the slabs and return them to his vehicle.
The vehicle, clearly branded with Western Cars livery, can be seen parked at the scene. Despite the driver reportedly denying he had dumped the slabs, the video seems to show additional paving slabs stored in the boot of his car.
Western Cars acted swiftly, suspending the driver the day after the incident on 9 April and launching an internal investigation. In a Facebook post on Monday 14 April, the company confirmed that the driver had since been permanently removed from their roster.
“Following our internal review process, the driver in question is no longer affiliated with Western Cars,” the company said. While noting that all their drivers are self-employed contractors, the firm emphasised that they are required to follow “clear standards regarding professional conduct” when working under the Western Cars name.
Western Cars also confirmed they had reported the incident to local authorities and checked on the site the following day, stating that the fly-tipping location had been cleared.
“We understand that the relevant local authorities are conducting their own enquiries into the matter,” the company added. “We are cooperating fully with these enquiries and will continue to do so as required.”
Derby City Council, which licenses the driver, confirmed that it is now conducting an official investigation.
A council spokesperson said: “As the taxi driver is licensed in Derby, we have been advised of the incident and are currently looking into it.”
South Derbyshire District Council, where the fly-tipping reportedly occurred, has not yet provided a statement.
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