We, the undersigned, call upon Highland Council to immediately revoke the taxi operator’s licence held by David Brown following his conviction for rape and his custodial sentence.

The fundamental purpose of taxi licensing is to protect the public. Every licensed driver and operator must be a fit and proper person to hold that responsibility. Passengers, including women, young people and vulnerable individuals, have the right to feel safe when using licensed taxis.

We are deeply concerned that, despite Police Scotland formally advising on two separate occasions that David Brown’s licence should be revoked, six members of Highland Council’s Licensing Committee voted to allow him to retain his taxi operator’s licence.

This decision has caused widespread public concern and has significantly undermined confidence in the taxi licensing system.

We further note that Highland Council’s own Chief Officer for Legal and Corporate Governance has exercised Standing Order 16 to refer the decision for reconsideration by the full Council, demonstrating the exceptional seriousness of this matter.

Public confidence in the licensing system can only be maintained where public safety is placed above all other considerations.

Highland Council licensing board objectives, many of which we believe to have been breached.

The Highland Licensing Board (which administers alcohol and civic licensing) is legally required to uphold five core licensing objectives as outlined in the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.These five objectives drive all licensing decisions, policies, and conditions across the Highland region:

1, Preventing Crime and Disorder: Ensuring that licensed venues do not contribute to criminal activity, anti-social behaviour, or public disturbances.

2 Securing Public Safety: Maintaining a safe environment inside and in the immediate vicinity of the premises for customers, staff, and passersby (e.g., proper capacity limits and safe glassware policies).

3, Preventing Public Nuisance: Mitigating disturbances caused by noise, light, litter, and late-night customer dispersal.

4, Protecting and Improving Public Health: Promoting responsible drinking, preventing excessive alcohol consumption, and supporting overall community health.

5, Protecting Children and Young Persons from Harm: Restricting underage access and ensuring children are safe from physical, moral, or psychological harm when present in licensed spaces.

These objectives are central to the Highland Licensing Board Policy Statement which guides all local operating plans, special conditions, and licensing applications. 

We therefore call upon Highland Council and the Highland Licensing Board/Committee to:

• Immediately revoke David Brown’s taxi operator’s licence. Ensure that public protection remains the overriding consideration in all taxi licensing decisions.
• Publish the reasons for the Licensing Committee’s decision in the interests of transparency.
• Conduct an independent review of the decision-making process followed by the Licensing Committee.
• Consider whether any member of the committee failed to discharge their duties appropriately and, if necessary, remove those members from future licensing responsibilities pending the outcome of any investigation.
• Review Highland Council’s taxi licensing policy so that anyone convicted of the most serious violent or sexual offences cannot continue to hold a taxi operator’s licence where the law permits.

The public must have complete confidence that those entrusted with transporting passengers meet the highest standards of safety, integrity and trustworthiness. 

Public Safety Must Always Come First

Allan Duffy, Laùra Hänsler, Diane Wilkinson