Stutterer Turned Down As Driving Instructor

A man with a stutter was this week turned down as a driving instructor by the British School of Motoring because he couldn't say "stop" fast enough in an emergency.

Arsenal Whittick, 39, spent 10 months on a course only to be told his speech impediment had put a stop to his career. Today BSM officials told an employment tribunal he would have been a liability on the road because he was unable to give vital commands.

The Southampton tribunal ruled that it could not accept Mr Whittick's claim that he had been discriminated against as he was not employed by BSM.

Mr Whittick has since set up his own business, Happy Hour Driving School, and is teaching for free untilo he gets enough experience to apply for his licence.

To find our factsheet about stammering, click here.