Four councillors who voted to allow a rapist taxi driver to keep his operator's licence have resigned from Highland Council's licensing committee and board, after the decision sparked a public outcry.
David Brown, 50, was jailed for six years and nine months in May for preying on an 18-year-old female passenger in Ross-shire in December 2023. Despite an objection from Police Scotland, six male councillors on the licensing committee last month voted to allow Brown's operator's licence to continue, while four female councillors voted against.
“Four councillors quit after voting to let a rapist taxi driver keep his operator's licence, sparking public outcry.”
The resignations came from councillors Sean Kennedy, John Grafton, Duncan Macpherson and Willie MacKay. Mr MacKay also resigned as a councillor, while Mr Grafton has been expelled by the Highland Liberal Democrats group. Sky News contacted each of the men for comment.
Councillor Chris Birt, who voted to remove Brown's personal taxi driver's licence but was one of the six who allowed the operator's licence to continue, defended the decision. He explained that Brown's wife was present, had been carrying on the taxi business under the operator's licence, which had six months to run – after which she could renew it in her own name.
"Quite obviously, the subject's personal taxi driver's licence had to be removed," Dr Birt said. "However, his wife, as the only other taxi driver operating under the operator's licence, was continuing to earn her keep as a taxi driver." Following guidance from the clerk and the fact Brown is currently in jail, Dr Birt said he made the decision to allow the operator's licence to continue for its final six months. "I stand by that decision, as it was lawful, ensured public safety, and was just," he said. "I must emphasise that I am as disgusted by this criminal taxi driver's crimes as is anyone else, and all sex crimes horrify me utterly. But, apart at an emotional level, these matters have nothing whatsoever to do with our vote to protect the criminal's wife from punishment."
Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH) and Rape Crisis Scotland condemned the committee's decision. RASASH chief executive Romy Rehfeld said: "The lack of transparency about why this decision was made has led to women and girls feeling less safe – particularly when taxis are something women are actively told to use to keep themselves safe at night."