Deputy Prime Minster John Prescott has been called on to intervene after disciplinary action was taken against a trade union official.

Bus driver Mohammed Taj, branch secretary of the Transport & General Workers Union, was given a final warning by his bosses after voicing concerns following the death of a 14-year-old boy who suffered a fatal asthma attack on a bus.

After the tragedy Mr Taj told the Telegraph & Argus he was pressing for first aid training for drivers and wanted an investigation into why a radio on the bus was out of order.

The driver was forced to drive to a phone box in Holme Wood because his radio was not working. The driver and two bus passengers battled to save Matthew Douglas but the youngster died.

Today Bradford Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood was writing to the Deputy Prime Minister about the decision by First Bradford.

He said: "It is outrageous. It is an absolute disgrace."

Coun Greenwood said he would highlight the situation to the Transport and Environment Secretary and send him copies of the Telegraph & Argus carrying the reports.

He said the comments made by Mr Taj in the T&A asking for an inquiry into the state of the bus radio and calling for first aid training for driving were "moderate and sensible."

He was also writing to chairman of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority Coun Mick Lyons and sending a second letter to the company about the affair.

Coun Greenwood said: "This matter is of profound concern to the travelling public within this authority.

"I have spoken to a number of people in senior management both inside and outside the authority who see absolutely nothing wrong with what Mr Taj did."

A spokesman from Bradford Traveller said: "We cannot discuss internal company procedures. Every employee, including driver Taj, must adhere to the company rules and regulations. The company considers that the safety of all our employees and passengers is of the utmost importance."

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe described the situation as a step backwards in industrial relations.

He said: "Mr Taj was acting in his role as a trade union official and clearly public interest was involved and he has a responsibility to the public as well.

"This smacks of old style industrial relations and I hope they will reconsider the decision."

He said the Government was introducing proposals for new style modern industrial relations in work places and were trying to stop that type of situation.

"Obviously the company must act in its own interests but must also consider the public interest."

Mr Taj was sent home by First Bradford on Wednesday and attended a disciplinary hearing yesterday.

He has now been told he can return to work, but was on a final warning from the company which says employees cannot communicate with the Press on First Bradford business without the permission of managers.

Regional official of the union Ronnie Morrison described the ruling as a "gagging order" and said bus drivers would fight it.

He said after the two-and-a-half hour hearing which he attended with Mr Taj: "He will appeal and will take it all the way.

"This is all over two paragraphs in the T&A when he was putting views in his role as a trade union official. He was acting properly."

A branch meeting last night decided to fully support Mr Taj in his appeal. Mr Morrison said the crews would consider industrial action if necessary to squash the "gagging order".

Mr Morrison said there would be support on both a regional and national level on the stand.

Bradford's three MPs are supporting the call by Mr Taj for first aid training for bus drivers and they say communication channels should always be kept clear.

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