'Jedi' tube worker resigns

26 October 2009

A TUBE worker from Romford has resigned after footage of him threatening to sling an elderly passenger under a train was posted on YouTube.

Ian Morbin, 25, was filmed hurling abuse at a passenger at Holborn Station on Thursday October 15.

The images, captured by passenger Jonathan McDonald on his video camera, show Mr Morbin calling an elderly man a "jumped up little git" and a "little girl" before threatening to "sling him under a train."

On his Facebook page, which has now been taken down, Morbin described himself as "an easy going guy," and says "my future will be either the driving of Tube trains or trucks."

He also said he followed the 'Jedi' religion, made popular by the Star Wars films.

Jonathan, who posted the footage on YouTube, said on his blog that the elderly passenger had got his arm stuck in the train door moments before Morbin launched into his tirade.

He said: "I watched as he (the elderly passenger) calmly relayed his experience to the staff member (who was called Ian by the way).

"Ian didn't think it was a problem - in fact, he was furious that the guy had mentioned it at all, especially as the guy was standing close to the track.

"After a while, Ian started shouting at the guy to 'stand back there is a f***ing train approaching.'

"The elderly guy quietly questioned why Ian had to swear (as did several other passengers).

"Ian literally screamed in this guys face (and I quote): 'because there is a f***ing train approaching and I need to make sure nobody is over the f****ing yellow line.'"

A Transport for London spokesperson said: "Mr Ian Morbin, a Customer Service Assistant at Holborn Tube station, has advised London Underground that he wishes to resign for personal reasons. He has informed us he would like to apologise for the incident involving a passenger at Holborn Tube station on Thursday 15 October and hopes that his actions have not detracted from the professional job done by hundreds of London Underground staff every day.

"We have accepted Mr Morbin's resignation with immediate effect. As we made clear from the moment this incident was brought to our attention this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and does not represent the way our staff go about their jobs helping millions of customers every day.