Decision to allow rapist to keep taxi licence 'incomprehensible and shameful'

The decision to allow a convicted rapist to keep his taxi operator’s licence was “incomprehensible and shameful”, the Highland Council convener has said.

David Brown, 50, was jailed for nearly seven years for raping an 18-year-old passenger in a layby before dumping her on a freezing night in December 2023.

He had his taxi driver’s licence suspended in January 2024 after details of his crime emerged.

In June this year, a Highland Council committee voted in private to allow a taxi operator’s licence in Brown’s name to continue.

Police had objected to allowing the licence to continue, but Brown’s wife had argued at the meeting that she needed the licence to keep earning a living.

Following public backlash, the council announced the decision would be reconsidered.

Protest outside Highland Council meeting STV News

Ahead of a full council meeting on Tuesday, Brown surrendered both of his licences to the Highland Council.

Council convenor Bill Lobban said the special meeting would go ahead to consider an urgent motion.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Lobban described it as a “culmination of quite a disturbing episode in the council’s history”.

He added: “I find the decision taken by a majority vote of the licence committee to continue to take no action on two licences issued to David Brown incomprehensible and, in my own personal opinion, shameful.

“I and many other members have been disturbed and upset by the original decision, and I have every confidence that had we been given the opportunity today, we would have seen a totally different outcome.

“Clearly, we as a council must reconsider how we deal with licensing within the boundaries of the law, and those discussions will be ongoing as a matter of urgency.

“It is important that we remember the heart of this matter, that there is a victim. I feel at times there may have been a lack of attention or focus on them. Our sympathies lie with the victim in this case, and the significant stress that the consequences of the original decision will ultimately have on them.”

The convener, leader of the council and leader of the opposition have agreed to bring forward a motion of no confidence in Councillors Sean Kennedy, Chris Birt, John Grafton, Ruraidh Stewart and Duncan MacPherson at a full council meeting in September.

A petition against the councillors who approved the licence was handed over to the convenor prior to the meeting.

Controversial decision

Six male councillors voted to allow Brown to keep the licence after his wife argued she needed the vehicle licence to continue to earn a living, despite police objections.

Since the decision, four members have resigned from the committee, and a fifth was suspended by his party.

Almost 6,000 people signed an online petition demanding the council revoke Brown’s taxi operator’s licence.