AN INTERNET campaign is underway to support a delivery driver who has been suspended from his role in controversial circumstances.

By late afternoon yesterday, the campaign - on GoFundMe - had attracted £660 to help Phabian Smyle, 32, financially while his suspension is ongoing.

The aim is to reach £2,000 to support a man who is "well-loved" in the community he serves.

Despite mounting support on the funding page, DPD - the company for which he works - has stood by its decision.

The suspension came about after an incident last week, believed to involve Mr Smyle and another individual at DPD’s Leeds depot.

Mr Smyle alleges that he was racially abused and it is believed there was then a physical confrontation between the two men.

Pat Mulligan, who is fighting the case and set up the campaign, says the incident led to the suspension of Mr Smyle and claims he was told, during a meeting with DPD, that the other individual had been “let go” by the company.

Mr Smyle has worked for DPD since moving to Bradford from Leicester five years ago.

The father-of-two was first employed by the firm and then became self-employed under its banner.

Mr Smyle said: “My head is all over the place right now. I still don’t know where I stand.”

The Queensbury resident was last updated late yesterday afternoon, when he was told to attend a meeting on Friday.

Mr Smyle had already been to a meeting on Monday where he was told an investigation was underway, according to Mr Mulligan.

As a DPD driver, Mr Smyle delivered to a host of addresses and businesses across Queensbury, Thornton and Clayton.

Mr Milligan said he attended Monday’s meeting with Mr Smyle, and brought along 27 supporting emails - from companies and individuals - highlighting the delivery driver’s community spirit.

Mr Mulligan, who lives in Thornton, added: “I don’t know people around here, but I know our DPD driver. It seems I wasn’t the only one. Everybody knows about Phabian.”

“One little boy refers to him as Postman Pat and waits for him and waves to him.”

Many have come out on social media to offer their support to Mr Smyle.

He said: “It’s been very overwhelming. I’m not on social media myself, so I’ve just been receiving phonecalls and text messages, to see what was going on.

“I don’t know anyone or these people personally, but to think everybody is supporting me and is backing up all this is very overwhelming.”

Mr Smyle played football for Leicester City between the ages of 9 and sixteen.

He even turned out for England U18s, before injuries curtailed Mr Smyle's career.

The former footballer has always had ambitions of still working in the game.

He said: "I've been thinking about coaching for a long while, not just because this situation happened.

"It's always been something on my mind."

Mr Smyle's son is currently having trials with Sky Bet Championship side Leeds United and that is providing yet more motivation to get involved.

He said: "My son has started to play football even more and it seems the time is right to do it now.

"I did a bit of coaching in Leicester myself."

The 32-year-old admits he is Smyle by name and smile by nature, but is not one for the limelight.

He said: “All I can do is be myself. There are enough things going on in the world today, I don’t see why everyone shouldn’t be happy."

A spokesperson said: “DPD does not condone or tolerate, violence or abuse of any sort in the workplace.

“As a result, we have carried out a full investigation into the incident which took place at our Leeds depot.  We have reviewed the CCTV footage taken at the time and interviewed all relevant parties. Having completed our investigation and reviewed all the evidence, we are satisfied that we have taken the appropriate action against those involved."