A taxi driver has had his operator licence suspended after a video emerged of a bust-up with a filmmaker outside a coronavirus testing centre.
Charlie Veitch, whose YouTube videos are watched by nearly 100,000 subscribers across the world, captured footage of the confrontation at the facility outside Salford Civic Centre, in Swinton, on Thursday morning (November 19).
The video shows the pair engaged in an argument before the driver appears to lash out at Mr Veitch several times.
Salford council confirmed it had suspended the driver's taxi licence 'with immediate effect'.
Mr Veitch, 40, said he was using the test centre as a backdrop for a video, in which he was discussing Joe Biden and Donald Trump, when he was confronted by the driver.
As a taxi leaves the mobile facility, it can be seen being driven towards Mr Veitch.
The vehicle then pulls up next to him.
Mr Veitch can be heard saying: "Hi, how can I help you?"
The taxi driver asks him whether is filming, before repeatedly asking him to stop.
After a tense exchange, the video shows the driver appear to attempt to hit out at Mr Veitch through his window before, climbing out of the vehicle.
The filmmaker appears to concede that he was compelled to 'slap' the driver'.
Mr Veitch says he was with his young son when he was attacked and feared the youngster was also 'in danger'.
"I felt shell shocked," he told the Manchester Evening News.
"I feel I was excessively reasonable.
"In the video, you see me trying to say 'dude, come on. I'm here with a baby'."
Staff at the test centre dialled 999, Mr Veitch said. Police officers arrived within minutes, he added.
He also reported the incident to the council.
Mr Veitch insists he was not trying to film anyone at the test centre. He was unhurt.
A spokesperson for Salford council said: “The incident was also captured by our CCTV cameras and footage has been passed to the police for review.
"We have suspended the drivers’ taxi licence with immediate effect until a full report can be put before the licensing panel.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said officers were aware of 'a video purporting to show a confrontation' and are investigating.
