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Commenting in response to yesterday’s court judgment which found that bus company First Group’s policy did not discriminate against wheelchair user Mr Paulley, Chris Holmes, EHRC Disability Commissioner said:

This  judgement means a wheel chair user has no effective legal rights if unable to gain access to a bus because a traveller blocks the designated wheel chair space and refuses to move.

"The Commission is disappointed that the Court of Appeal has not given substantive support to wheelchair users on the same basis as non disabled people in relation to obtaining access to bus transport. The Commission will study the judgments before deciding whether to support an appeal or press for legislative changes to make sure disabled people can use bus travel."

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Notes to editors

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006. It is an independent body responsible for protecting and promoting equality and human rights in Great Britain.  It aims to encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and promote and protect human rights.  The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. It encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 and is accredited by the UN as an ‘A status’ National Human Rights Institution