Assumed this vehicle was an HC at first, but suspect it's a PHV.
Never seen anyone with a dog collar driving a cab before, though, but there's a first for everything, but maybe he doesn't actually wear it while driving...
And I'm assuming this is job-related (and I mean the trade job, not the other one
), but that's not entirely clear either.
Video on the Echo's website, but to be fair it doesn't add much to the article, and can hardly hear what he's saying because of wind noise
Taxi-driving gay priest 'petrified' after vile homophobic hate crimehttps://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... d-21123415Father Paul was cleaning his taxi when a man launched a homophobic tirade at him
Image: Andrew Teebay/Liverpool EchoA gay priest has described his 'shock' and 'disgust' after being subject to a homophobic hate crime while polishing his taxi.
Father Paul Newberry, 43, who identifies as gay, was subject to homophobic slurs while polishing his black Mercedes minibus cab outside his home on Hawthorne Road in Kirkdale.
A man in his 50s approached the ordained priest at 2.30pm on Thursday, July 22 and threatened him with violence.
Father Paul told The ECHO : "I was polishing my new minibus I use as a taxi driver when this man came over to me and started shouting about two people hiding behind my taxi the night before.
"He then started calling me a dirty f***** and said he would knock me up and down the street.
"I was trying to tell him that I didn't know what he was talking about but he wouldn't listen and carried on shouting homophobic slurs at me.
"I called the police, who then came and said they were treating it as a hate crime."
Merseyside Police has confirmed they are investigating the incident as a hate crime and a man is due to voluntarily attend at a police station for interview by officers.
Detective chief inspector Gayle Rooney said: "This investigation is in its early stages and we're due to speak to someone in connection with the incident.
"In the meantime, I want to reiterate my determination to investigate and prosecute all those who we suspect are responsible for targeting, threatening or assaulting people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
"Due to the language reportedly used, we’re treating this as a hate crime.
"We at Merseyside Police stand against hate crime in all its forms and will not tolerate people being targeted in this manner. If you saw or heard the incident, come forward and we will take action."
Father Paul came out as gay 20 years ago and said he was "petrified" when he first moved to Liverpool from Colchester.
But once in the city he said Liverpool was "so welcoming" and he never had an issue until more recently.
He said: "I'm getting that way [petrified] again since the attacks recently, I don't feel safe going to bars on Concert Square. Which is a real shame as I'm sure there are some really great ones I would really like.
"Hatred isn't my Liverpool and the place that I know and love.
"I don't know what has changed but it needs to stop, it is not okay to attack people or shout homophobic slurs from across the street.
"It has never been okay and never will be. it's disgusting."
Anybody who witnessed the incident in Kirkdale or have any information are encouraged to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police Contact Centre with reference 21000511168.
If, for any reason, people do not wish to the report to the police, the independent charity Stop Hate UK to run a 24/7 confidential helpline for all victims of hate crime on 0800 138 1625 or
http://www.stophateuk.org. You can also download the Stop Hate UK reporting app on Google Play or the Apple App Store
Merseyside, also have a number of third party reporting centres including fire stations, citizens advice bureaus and hospitals.
Dedicated support for victims of hate crime is also available through the Victim Care Merseyside service delivered by Citizens Advice. They can be contacted at
lgbthatecrime@caliverpool.org.uk or by calling 0151 522 1400 ext. 5006.
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