A bus driver tried to defend his actions after asking a Muslim mum wearing a niqab to remove her face veil.

The Bristol mum, who had got on board the First Bus service 24 from Easton to Bristol city centre, was left “humiliated” after the driver asked her to remove her veil.

She had been wearing the niqab - a face veil that leaves the area around the eyes clear - and had just got on when the tirade happened.

He continued to say she was “capable of doing anything” throughout the journey, and she hurriedly left the bus once she reached her stop outside Primark.

Other passengers onboard the bus decided to question the driver’s actions, and he continued to defend himself.

The confrontation was captured on camera, with the driver saying the “world is dangerous” and that “it’s not good” for her to cover her face.

This is how the confrontation happened

(Image: Bristol Post)

Driver: Why are you taking a picture? Because I’ve expressed my opinion? You can take my picture. Do you want my phone number?

Woman 1: I’m recording you so we can report you later on.

Driver: I don’t get it.

Woman 2 (wearing a hijab):I don’t understand why you care [how she’s dressed]. It’s her choice what she wears.

Driver: I care because this world is dangerous. If you don’t see somebody’s face, that’s not good. In this time we live..

Woman 2: It’s her choice. You get to choose what you want to wear.

Driver: It’s not about choice here.

Woman 2: It is a choice, actually. It’s not any of your business just how she’s dressed.

Woman 1: You’re a member of the public.

Driver: How I can see your face, you can see my face. We should see our faces. It’s exactly how..

Woman 2: She doesn’t want you to see her face, that’s her choice then.

Driver: (walks away and talks to supervisor)

(Image: Bristol Post)

Woman 1 : I’m recording an incident of racism to report later on. I have the right to do that.

Woman 3: He is basically saying she might blow up the bus. That’s what he just said.

Driver talking to supervisor: (inaudible) It’s nothing about racism here. This world, in this time… You don’t understand?

Woman 4: He’s just racist man.

Manager: I will chat with you later.

The mum told Bristol Live she felt “humiliated” and added: “It made me feel horrible and disappointed. I get that he might not be from the country, so maybe he has never seen a person with a face veil, but for him to treat me like that in a public place is wrong.

“I had my baby with me. I’ve been humiliated in public, and I’m disappointed. It’s 2018, we shouldn’t be like that. I’m being stereotyped.”

First Bus has apologised for the driver’s actions, and said they have taken action against the driver.

(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A spokesman for the firm said: “We would like to fully and unreservedly apologise to the customer for the distress caused when one of our drivers expressed his personal opinions and behaved in an offensive fashion that in no way reflects our deeply held values as an inclusive company which welcomes all people, irrespective of background, race, nationality or religion as customers or employees.

“We have reminded staff of our expectations and behaviours that are demanded of them.

“The driver has been censured through the company’s disciplinary procedures for this incident, which is a matter the company takes very seriously.

“We've also helped the police with their enquiries and we are arranging a meeting with the customer to apologise in person and discuss matters in more detail."