This shocking image shows what appears to be a member of staff smoking in a petrol station forecourt.
In the photograph, given exclusively to the Daily Record, a male member of staff is holding what looks like a cigarette close to his face in the BP garage on Cliftonhall Road in Newbridge, Edinburgh.
The man, who appears to be wearing a green uniform-style jacket with a name badge, is said to have gone back inside the garage shop and started serving behind the counter.
A witness claims he threw his fag away after finishing it – and that it landed next to a row of gas canisters.
The picture was taken in the early hours of Monday morning.
Ryan Doran, 20, from Linlithgow, was in a car with two pals on a petrol stop.
He said: “My friend, who was driving, noticed the man first when he got out to get petrol.
“As soon as he pointed it out, I just grabbed my phone and took a photo because it was so unbelievable – the irony of a garage worker doing something as dangerous as smoking around petrol.”
Ryan said the man tossed his cigarette end on the ground next to flammable canisters lined up in front of the shop, before strolling back inside.
The Heriot-Watt University student added: “It was just so shocking to watch.
“I don’t know whether or not he thought he could get away with it because it was so late at night and the garage was quiet.”
Smoking is forbidden at petrol stations in the UK due to the risk of vapours being ignited.
The Cliftonhall Road BP garage manager said: “An immediate investigation will be started to ascertain the facts of the incident and until then, we do not wish to make any comment.”
When the Daily Record showed the manager the photo of the man smoking and asked them to confirm that he is a member of staff, they said: “I have made my comment. I do not want to make any more comments.”
A spokesperson for BP said: “This branch is run by a different dealership and the person who provided the comment does not speak on behalf of BP.
“We do not wish to comment.”
