
Glasgow’s licensing committee has sparked debate after delivering two starkly different verdicts on driver applications, refusing a licence to a taxi driver who overcharged passengers while granting one to a man with convictions for drug supply and endangering the public with a firework.
The decisions have placed the city’s “fit and proper person” standard under the spotlight as councillors weighed past criminal behaviour against professional misconduct.
Arsalan Khan, a taxi driver previously suspended for “defrauding” the public, failed in his bid to renew his licence for another three years. The committee heard that Mr. Khan had repeatedly bypassed his meter, quoting passengers flat fees of £25 for journeys that typically cost £13.
Committee chairman Cllr Alex Wilson (SNP) challenged the driver’s integrity during the hearing. “We have suspended your licence because of what happened,” Cllr Wilson said. “Why should we give you a new licence based on the fact that you tried to defraud a member of the public?”
Mr. Khan admitted his failings, stating: “It was my mistake and I take full responsibility. I’m asking the committee to give me an opportunity to show I have genuinely learned my lesson.”
Despite his plea, the committee was split, and Cllr Wilson used his casting vote to reject the application entirely.
In a separate hearing that drew sharp rebukes from the chair, Sheharyar Asim was granted a six-month private hire licence despite a history of convictions and a formal objection from Police Scotland.
Police representatives detailed a series of incidents, including a 2016 conviction where Mr. Asim threw a lit firework from a moving car onto a pavement near an office block. The resulting explosion "narrowly missed members of the public."
His record also included:
April 2023: Conviction for possession of cannabis with intent to supply.
May 2022: Narrowly missing two police officers with his vehicle, forcing them to take "evasive action."
2019: Racing through traffic lights and an underground car park.
A stunned Cllr Wilson asked the applicant: “Were you trying to complete a bingo card of offences? What on earth have you been up to?”
Mr. Asim argued that he had turned his life around after becoming a father and remaining "clean" from cannabis for two years. “I understand and acknowledge that I have made mistakes in my earlier life... Since those offences I have made significant changes to my lifestyle,” he told the committee.
While Cllr Wilson moved to refuse Mr. Asim’s application, he was outvoted four to two. Councillors Leòdhas Massie (Your Party) and Eunis Jassemi (Labour) successfully pushed for a restricted six-month licence accompanied by a "severe warning."

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James Smith, 41, appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for sentencing following the violent confrontation on Hutcheon Street on August 5 last year.

David Harrison, of Bilston, appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court in connection with the death of "39-year-old taxi driver, Harun Khan almost 18 years ago."

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Anthony Burns, 63, was travelling at approximately 56mph on July 11, 2024, when he failed to notice stationary traffic near Warrington. 

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Under the new proposals, the initial "flag fall" for standard journeys (Tariff 1) would climb from £3.50 to £4.00, while the higher Tariff 2 rate would rise from £4.00 to £4.50.

The incident occurred outside the Royal British Legion’s Tidworth branch at approximately 11:30 pm on December 27. 

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A late-night dispute over a taxi fare turned violent in the early hours of January 4, leaving a local driver "shaken" after being struck in the face.

This is about fixing the Manchester private hire industry — something everyone says they want.

A red Seat Leon collided with a Citroen C4 Picasso taxi in Wigan Road, Bolton in the early hours 11 January, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

Two private hire drivers have been hit with nearly £1,900 in combined penalties after separate incidents where they refused to transport passengers with assistance dogs.

Taxi and private hire drivers, operators and wider stakeholders are being invited to share their views on proposed changes to licensing fees, as West Northamptonshire Council.

Samir Jamshidi pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court to operating a private hire vehicle without a licence and driving without insurance between May 9 and June 1, 2025.
