London Police Arrest Man Insulting Muslim Bus Driver In Riots In England

Police are trying to stop a demonstrator from attacking a hotel for an immigrant shelter in Rotherham, England on August 4, 2024. (Reuters/Hollie Adams)

JAKARTA - The London Metropolitan Police arrested a man who made racist insults and spat on a Muslim bus driver in London.

The Metropolitan Police then issued a statement that the man was identified as 39-year-old Michael Mongan.

"The video can be immediately identified and arrested on Friday (9/8). He was charged with violating public order accompanied by elements of racism and acts of vandalism," the statement said.

In a footage that went viral on social media on Thursday, it shows the man spat on the driver while throwing an insult to Islamophobia, repeatedly chanting "terrorist Muslims" and swearing.

He also asked the bus driver to get off while banging on the protective glass.

Mungan, who came from Ealing, East London, pleaded guilty to charges indicted by the Uxbridge District Court on Saturday, the statement said.

He remains detained for a sentencing hearing in the same court on Tuesday, August 13.

"I expect a quick response from our officers to send a clear message that we will take action and hold those who behave like this accountable," said Detective Inspector Jonathan Potter, of the Road and Transport Police Command.

"I am pleased that Mongan is quickly brought to justice and will now face consequences for his actions," he added as reported by Antara.

The racial abuse incident comes as Britain has been in turmoil for several days, where right-wing rioters commit violence by using racist words and Islamophobic acts targeting Muslims, minority groups, and immigrants.

Riots broke out due to false claims spreading online that the suspect in the fatal stabbing on July 29 that killed three children in Souhtport was an asylum seeker Muslim.

Although the authorities have identified the perpetrator as Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old teenager born in Cardiff from a Christian from Rwanda, this does little to help deter right-wing groups.

As of Thursday (8/9), a total of 483 people have been arrested, while 149 charges have been filed in connection with riots in major British cities.