TfL Ref: FOI-0617-1718
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 7 June 2017 asking for information about Khuram Shazad Butt.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require.
Khuram Butt worked for London Underground for just under four months as a trainee customer services assistant, leaving in October last year. All potential recruits for jobs at TfL undergo criminal record background checks and we take up three years of references from former employers.
- Please state the dates of employment of Khuram Shazad Butt with TfL
- Start Date: 16 June 2016
- Last day of employment: 5 October 2016
- Please provide a copy of any employer's reference provided to TfL by any of Mr Butt's former employers in support of his application.
Please see a copy of the requested document attached. Please note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) some personal data has been removed, as required by section 40(2) of the FOI Act. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the DPA, specifically the first principle of the DPA which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions of Schedule 2 of the Data Protection Act which would make the processing ‘fair’.
Please also note we are not obliged to provide some of the information contained within the attached as it is covered by section 38 of the FOI Act. This exemption applies to the home address that we were provided with for this individual.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise that there is a public interest in openness and transparency. However, in this instance, we feel that ensuring the protection of any current and local residents puts the balance in favour of withholding the information.
3) Please state whether Mr Butt applied to TfL under his real name. If not, please state the name he applied under.
Mr Khuram Shazad Butt applied under his own name.
4) Please provide a list of stations Mr Butt worked at during his employment
Mr Butt worked at Canada Water, Southwark and Westminster Stations during the probationary period that he worked for London Underground.
5) On what date was TfL made aware of Mr Butt's appearance on the Channel 4 programme "The Jihadis Next Door"
Mr Butt appeared on the TV programme ‘Jihadis Next Door’ in January 2016, this was four months prior to his employment with TfL. We have found no record of his inclusion in the programme being known by TfL until it was subject of media reporting in June 2017. Mr Butt passed a background check procedure prior to him starting work with TfL, this included a criminal background check with no concerning results found.
6) Please state whether any concerns about the character of Mr Butt were documented during his employment? If so, please provide a copy of files documenting these
There were no concerns raised in relation to the conduct of Mr Butt during his employment, other than his unacceptable attendance record.
7) Please state why Mr Butt's employment with TfL ended.
For all new employees there is a six month probationary period which they must pass in order to continue their employment. Mr Butt did not pass his probationary period and his contract was terminated. A key reason for this was an unacceptable attendance record coupled with his overall performance which was unsatisfactory to a level where it was not deemed appropriate to continue his employment.
8) How many people did you employ last year
In 2016 there were 1,974 external hires, all would have been subject to DBS checks.
9) How many enhanced DBS checks did you perform on new recruits last year?
TfL carried out 139 Enhanced DBS checks in 2016.
10) How many standard DBS checks did you perform on new recruits last year?
TfL carried out 6 Standard DBS checks in 2016. TfL also carried out 1,923 Basic DBS checks in 2016.
Please note that the figures provided in questions 9 & 10 includes DBS checks on individuals who later decided not to accept our job offer.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Lee Hill
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
