David Power

A FORMER black cab driver, boxer and musician – who has performed around the world in front of prime ministers, kings and members of the mafia – said his travelling days are done after being quoted £1,500 for holiday insurance.

David Power, who lives in Peabody-run sheltered housing block in Davey’s Court, Covent Garden, had to scrap his trip to Morocco because of the eye-watering charges.

The 90-year-old said he felt “outraged” and “highly discriminated against” because of his age and medical history.

He told Extra: “It left me very upset and very low… this makes me depressed. I cannot go on holiday without insurance. My travelling days are over.” He had decided to get insurance after a friend broke their leg in Spain and had the cost of the hospital treatment covered.

The £1,500 quoted for the insurance was £400 more than the entire all-inclusive holiday.

He said he had travelled the world while in the army as a talented young pianist performing for, “Prime ministers, kings and members of the Sicilian mafia… from London and Marbella to Singapore and Hong Kong”.

Mr Power, who has had cancer and cardiovascular problems, recalled how he had faced discrimination as a young man because of his Jewish faith and heritage.

While living in the East End he honed his skills as a boxer that helped him defend himself against followers of fascist Oswald Mosley.

After leaving the army, he applied to join the police in 1965. But he said: “Even though I was in the military and had experience, they rejected me. The captain called me into his office and said they only accepted Christians or Catholics, not Jews.”

He took “the Knowledge” and worked as a black cab driver for many years.

Mr Power currently lives in the Peabody home with his choral singer wife.

He organises concerts where he plays pieces by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Franz Schubert, and music of his own composition, to raise money for dementia and cancer charities.

Mr Power said he had always believed in the power of art and music to transform lives, and added: “I’ve left the toughest East End boxers spellbound… I made members of the Sicilian mafia cry with my music.”

Having cancelled the holiday, Mr Power sought to reclaim his £150 deposit on the flights from EasyJet. But the company refused to reimburse him, instead giving him flight credits towards a future holiday.

EasyJet said: “We’re really sorry to hear that Mr Power chose to cancel his upcoming holiday… As soon as Mr Power told us he no longer wanted to go on holiday, we organised for his deposit refund of EasyJet Holidays credit and we hope he finds a holiday to put it towards in the future.”