
A local taxi boss has spoken of his disbelief after Swale Council ordered his company to remove Remembrance poppies and Royal British Legion stickers from his fleet following a single complaint.
Neil McLennan, owner of iCars, was told by a licensing officer that the displays violated council advertising policies.
The magnetic stickers,featuring military vehicles, a Union Flag and the phrase Lest We Forget, and poppies had been proudly displayed on the taxis for several years to support veterans and raise awareness for the charity.
Along with the poppies and RBL stickers, Neil was also told to peel off names from his cabs. These are used to make it easier for people with dementia, learning difficulties or disabilities to know what car is picking them up.
Speaking about the incident, Mr McLennan said: “I was in disbelief when I received the phone call. I just thought it was ridiculous and I was disgusted.”
He added: “We took them off 10 minutes after the call but told the council I was going to go public with what they had told me. It’s shameful. I am not a veteran but feel strongly about supporting those who have fought to protect us.”
The ruling sparked widespread anger from local leaders and politicians. Councillor Richard Palmer, a former soldier, demanded an immediate apology, stating: “It is absolutely disgraceful that a council would order people to remove such things which honour those who served. The council should apologise.”
Local Member of Parliament, Kevin McKenna, also intervened, writing to the council to urge a reversal and noting that the taxi firm provides an invaluable service to the community.
Following public backlash, the local authority has withdrawn its demand regarding additional name labels used to help disabled passengers.
A licensing sub-committee meeting is now scheduled to discuss a potential policy exemption for the charity displays.
A council spokesperson maintained that the action was taken solely due to a formal complaint regarding vehicle policy compliance rather than the cause itself, adding that the policy will be reviewed to ensure future clarity.

Under the proposed Taxi and Private Hire Policy for 2026-2031, officials want to scrap acquired rights - commonly known as grandfather rights - for vehicles licensed before July 2022 to modernise the city's ageing fleet.

Jonathan Mitchell, 25, targeted the cabbie after changing destinations multiple times in South Shields, prompting the driver to radio his control room for police assistance.

The private hire driver was caught operating a silver Renault Master that carried the children - including a wheelchair user - and a passenger assistant to a school in Chorley.

The meeting covered concerns about the knowledge test and the promised Licensing Panel safeguard after three failed attempts - including an experienced driver who has been unable to work while his renewal remains unresol

The key objective of Glasgow Taxis’ trained and PVG-checked marshals is to help the public access a taxi safely and as quickly as possible at designated ranks, particularly at the conclusion of highly attended events.

Ipswich BC's Executive is being asked to approve a public consultation at a meeting on September 8. If no objections are raised, the revised tariffs could come into effect on October 13.

The company, which launched in Nigeria in 2014 and Uganda two years later, described the move as a difficult decision.

The taxi trade in Stirling as well as members of the public are to be consulted over proposals to increase taxi fares by 11.7 per cent and to introduce new tariffs to cover the festive period.

Warwick DC's cabinet is set to decide on 9 September, whether to approve the rise for the area's 127 hackneys, which would mark the first adjustment to the maximum permitted charges in two years.

Mohammad Anwar had his renewal application rejected by Glasgow City Council's licensing committee following a formal objection raised by Police Scotland.

Mark Johnson, owner of Lincs Coast Taxis, met Sarah after picking up the family - she explained her son Oliver had been treated that day for a brain tumour, the driver was deeply moved.

Tom Hayes MP recently hosted a meeting with taxi and private hire drivers at St Saviour's Church to hear about the reforms they would recommend as the Government brings forward a draft law.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, 2 September, at around 5.40pm as the victim was walking towards the city centre. 

Cardiff-based private hire technology firm Veezu has purchased Triple 20 Taxi Cars, adding around 270 self-employed drivers across Dudley and Sandwell to its growing regional network.

Users across the city can be matched with a driverless Ford Mustang Mach-E, though the chances are currently slim with only 15 vehicles licensed out of the capital's 100,000 Ubers.

Under the scheme, penalty points can be issued for minor infringements of licence conditions. The points issued will depend on the nature and seriousness of the breach and will remain on a driver’s record for three years

The comprehensive updates, which took effect on September 1, 2026, streamline the application process for drivers while modernising vehicle standards and passenger requirements across the county.

The licensing sub-committee greenlit the fare adjustment following a low-turnout public consultation where participants highlighted cost-of-living pressures.

The local authority held the urgent meeting to implement a temporary licensing change after iCars boss Neil McLennan was ordered to strip remembrance emblems from his fleet of taxis.

Somerset Council’s executive committee is expected to approve the new tariff structure today, 2 September, to help drivers cope with mounting fuel and insurance expenses.
