A bus driver attempted a citizen’s arrest after an alleged racist attack in which a yob spat in his face - but the suspect was allowed to walk away by police.

Ejjaz Mughal made a formal complaint but a later police investigation was stalled when his employer, First Bus, were unable to provide the CCTV of the incident.

Now, after inquiries by the MEN, the footage has been found and a new police probe launched.

Mr Mughal was pulling into Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre when two young men walked in front of his vehicle, forcing him to make an emergency stop.

They were both apologetic and said sorry but a passerby then launched into a racist verbal attack on Mr Mughal.

He said: “The two lads put their hands up and said sorry. But as that happened this guy shouted ‘This is f*****g England, you f*****g P***, it’s a pedestrian crossing - you’re meant to stop’.

“I was shocked, and said ‘Come again you silly monkey’. Then he started to run after the bus in a very aggressive manner. He was at the side of my cab and spat all over my face. I got out of my cab and ran after him. I shouted to a PCSO who also gave chase, but he ended up on the ground as he slipped and was then shrugged off by the man.

“I carried on chasing and got hold him at the bottom of Oldham Street.”

Mr Mughal, who has training in martial arts, restrained the man by putting his head in an arm lock until the PCSO took over.

“Three minutes later a police officer came to the scene - to my relief I thought. I said ‘I’m a bus driver. This man spat at me. I’ve got his saliva on me. I want him arrested.”

But Mr Mughal says the officer and others had arrived due to a crowd of youths congregating outside McDonald’s restaurant nearby.

The alleged racist told police he had been assaulted by Mr Mughal and as a result had a cut on his neck.

Mr Mughal said: “The officer said to me ‘do you think I’m going to put my handcuffs on him when I’ve got all this crowd to deal with?’.

He claims the officer called him ‘a right balloon’.

“I asked the officer what he would do if I spat in his face, and he said he would have me arrested. Then he said ‘stop mithering me’, and was pushing me to go away.”

He said another officer assured him they had the name and address of the suspect and advised him to leave.

“We are living in an age where DNA evidence can be decisive, yet they let this man walk away. I had to watch him laughing at me and waving goodbye.”

He said he logged the incident later that day with First Bus, which would have alerted the company to retrieve the CCTV from his vehicle.

He later reported the incident formally to GMP and lodged a complaint against the police officer who dealt with it.

“The police investigated it and after a few weeks said they were not able to arrest the man due to lack of evidence.

“A witness heard the man verbally abuse me but didn’t see him spit. A GMP officer told me if they had the CCTV they could have arrested him, but the bus company said they didn’t have it,”

The incident happened on April 5, this year, but after the MEN took up the case, the CCTV has now been located by First Bus.

The company is investigating a break down in communications which resulted in the footage not being retrieved three months ago.

Rob Hughes, general manager at First Manchester, said: “This was an appalling act against one of our drivers who are entitled to do their important job without the fear of this kind of attack. We’ll work closely with Greater Manchester Police to support the arrest and prosecution of this individual including the use of CCTV footage.”

GMP has launched a new investigation into the ‘vile’ attack.

In a statement the force said: ”Shortly before 6.15pm on April 5, a PCSO witnessed a man chasing another man on Oldham Street in Manchester city centre.

“The PCSO ran after the two and caught up with them before the victim gave an account of being racially abused and spat at by the other man. A PC arrived a short time later and spoke with the victim and suspect before he was needed at another incident involving a large group of youths nearby.

“An official report was later made and police spoke with all those involved as well as available witnesses. CCTV footage from the surrounding area was retrieved but officers were unable to recover footage of the actual incident.

“There was insufficient evidence to support the investigation and as such no further action was taken against the individual.

Inspector Phil Spurgeon, from GMP’s city centre team, said: “We take all reports of hate incidents and crimes extremely seriously and always endeavour to fully investigate them and provide support to the victims involved.

“On this occasion officers attended the scene to deal with the incident but were unfortunately called away a short time later to deal with an ongoing disturbance involving a large group of youths, which required significant police assistance nearby. However, officers had taken the full details of the people involved and a full investigation was launched.

“Now, new CCTV has come to light today (Thursday, June 30) which is being passed to officers for review and we will be working with the victim to keep him up to date with these enquiries. We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a hate incident or crime to contact police on 101 or by using the True Vision website (www.report-it.org.uk) . Information can also be passed on to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Neil Clarke, regional officer for Unite, Mr Mughal’s union, said: “This incident was a vile violation of our member. The employer has a duty to protect the health and safety and welfare of its employees. I understand the employer would not have been able to prevent this violation but I would expect swift action against the perpetrator of this despicable act.”