Victory and Justice

VICTORY AND JUSTICE IS SERVED

This will be followed by a vote of NO CONFIDENCE in the remaining 5 councillors  when council reconvenes in September 

Ruaridh Stewart , Sean Kennedy, Chris Birt, Duncan MacPherson and John Grafton ..

In a further mark of absolute disrespect, 3 spineless misogynistic men failed to attend full emergency council this morning, in person, or online .. Sean Kennedy, Ruaridh Stewart, and Chris Birt should not only face the vote of no confidence by the council, but should be investigated and face full disciplinary action ..

Statement to The Highland Council

Tuesday 4 August 2026

Re: Petition concerning David Morton Brown and the conduct of Highland Council’s Licensing Committee

Convener, elected members of The Highland Council and Council officers,

Firstly, I would like to thank the Convener, the Council Clerks and all elected members for allowing this petition to be brought before the Council today. I appreciate the opportunity to address you on behalf of the 6,133 people who have signed this petition, together with the many others who have supported it.

As of 2 August 2026, this petition attracted 6,133 signatures from members of the public and received £372 in public donations, given voluntarily to ensure the petition reached as wide an audience as possible. Those figures represent far more than statistics—they represent thousands of people who believe that public safety, accountability and confidence in Highland Council’s licensing system must come before anything else.

The message from the public could not have been clearer.

Since this petition was launched, David Morton Brown’s taxi licences have now been surrendered. Whilst that changes the immediate licensing position, it does not change the reason this petition was created.

This petition has always been about accountability.

Licences may be surrendered. Accountability cannot.

It is about whether the people of the Highlands can continue to have confidence in those entrusted with making licensing decisions on their behalf.

Throughout this process, serious concerns have arisen regarding the conduct and judgement demonstrated by members of the Licensing Committee involved in this matter.

Specifically:

Sean Kennedy
Willie McKay
Chris Birt
Duncan Macpherson
Ruaridh Stewart
John Grafton

In the opinion of thousands of petitioners, these councillors failed in their duty to uphold the standards of public protection expected of those serving on Licensing Committees. Their actions have significantly damaged public confidence in Highland Council’s licensing function.

It is our view that they demonstrated a serious lack of judgement in relation to this matter and are no longer suitable to sit on any Licensing Committee exercising statutory powers over matters of public safety.

Furthermore, many members of the public who have supported this petition have expressed the view that these councillors should no longer hold positions of responsibility within Highland Council. The level of public concern surrounding their continued service should not be dismissed or underestimated.

Public office carries public responsibility.

When decisions undermine confidence in the very systems designed to protect vulnerable members of our communities, accountability must follow.

The surrender of these licences does not erase what has happened. It does not answer the questions the public continue to ask, nor does it restore confidence in the judgement exercised by those responsible for overseeing this process.

Today is therefore about more than one individual. It is about whether this Council is prepared to acknowledge where public confidence has been lost, accept responsibility where it is due, and demonstrate that those entrusted with protecting the public will themselves be held accountable.

The Council now has an opportunity to begin restoring trust by demonstrating openness, accountability and a commitment to ensuring that no Licensing Committee ever again places itself in a position where public confidence is so profoundly undermined.

The 6,133 people who signed this petition—and the many more who support its aims—will rightly expect nothing less.

Thank you. 

Laura Hansler, Allan Duffy, Diane Wilkinson