A blind man paid "slave labour" wages by a taxi firm claims he has been sacked after giving a television interview.

Imran Arshad, 19, and his pregnant girlfriend, Michelle Hancock, who shared a £1.50 an hour wage at a Bradford cab firm, claim they were ordered out after taking part in a Granada documentary about low pay.

But one of the managers at Broadway private hire firm in Bradford Lane, Ali Sussain, denied Mr Arshad was sacked.

He said: "He walked out after a row with a driver. But we would be willing to take him back."

But a taxi driver, who asked not to be named, said: "I was there when the boss told Imran to go.

"He said to 'Imran, if you like having your picture taken so much, you can go elsewhere'."

He said a lot of the drivers were upset with the decision and told the managers it would make matters worse.

Mr Arshad, of Leeds Road, Bradford, said he was deeply hurt by his dismissal.

He believes he was sacked for speaking out and that his job loss was a small price to pay for freedom of speech.

"What they have done is take food from my unborn baby's mouth. Now it is going to be a much harder struggle," he said.

The couple shared wages for manning the phones and records for the cab firm three days a week.

Miss Hancock renewed their appeal for people with similar circumstances to join their campaign for improved work and pay conditions for disabled people.

"It is important for the people of Bradford to know what happens to people just because they have a disability," she said.

Bradford North Labour MP Terry Rooney, who branded the job as slave labour, said he was angered by the news. He pledged to help Mr Arshad find a new job through the Employment Service.

"He needs to find a decent job, with decent pay," he said.

Since the story broke in the Telegraph & Argus on Tuesday, groups have pledged their support for Mr Arshad's campaign to improve conditions for people with disabilities.

Iain Goran, who campaigns for rights for the visually impaired, branded the wage Dickensian.

He offered to speak to Mr Arshad on job opportunities in computing,

"No one should have to work for £1.50 especially if they have a sighted assistant. I am shocked that someone who is blind has been sacked arbitrarily," he said.

Director of the Low Pay Unit Bharti Patel said new legislation had to be implemented to protect vulnerable workers speaking out against employers who pay poor wages.

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