Cab firm in online racism storm

ATAXI firm which said it did not “want Pakistanis” driving for it has denied being racist. The owner of Sandfields-based Cardy Cabs in Port Talbot said he won’t employ “foreign drivers”, claiming customers do not like them.

Janet Cardy posted an advertisement for new drivers on Facebook on Sunday.

Later, when she was engaging with some of the responses she got, Mrs Cardy wrote: “No p***s”

Instead she told the applicant to try another firm who have “all foreign drivers.”

She added: “They like dark ones.” The Facebook post has since been deleted but a screenshot was taken and has been widely shared since.

In one response Mrs Cardy wrote: “I got one working with me now I get on with him but the customers moan a bit. I have had a lot of them they good work but they could say don’t send him.”

Mrs Cardy’s husband, firm owner Howard Cardy, said the fallout had been blown out of proportion.

Mr Cardy said he often picks up the taxi service’s phone and claimed his customers tell him: “Do not send a p***.”

“It is something older people used to say – they do not like them,” he added. “My experience is that most customers prefer white, British drivers.

“We had a foreign driver before, from Croatia, but people didn’t like him because of his accent. I am reluctant to employ foreign drivers but the one I have is good as gold.”

Mr Cardy said they were not racist, adding in the past they had employed two men from Bangladesh.

He said the drivers were good but the problem was his customers, who he claimed said not to send them.

Writing on social media, Sarah Miller wrote: “Wow this is unbelievable Janet Cardy you are absolutely shocking.

“I shall never use your firm again. “Hang your head in shame.” JSaera Cole wrote it made no difference what the customer wants.

She added: “Last time I checked it was a criminal offence to discriminate based on race!”