Posted on the 14th September 2026 in PHTM News

FEMALE COUNCILLORS DEMAND REVIEW OF HIGHLAND COUNCIL TAXI LICENSING AFTER RAPIST SCANDAL

Seven female Highland councillors have proposed a motion calling for an independent external review of the council’s licensing committee ahead of a full council meeting this Thursday, September 17.

The move follows widespread public outrage after convicted rapist David Brown was allowed to keep his operator’s licence following a majority decision made behind closed doors.

Four of the seven councillors - Emma Knox, Lyndsey Johnston, Kate MacLean and Jackie Hendry - are members of the licensing committee and voted against letting Brown keep his licence.

Four male councillors who voted in favour have since resigned from the committee, and a vote of no confidence in them is also scheduled for Thursday’s meeting.

The group of seven is completed by councillors Sarah Atkin, Morven Reid and Kate Willis.

If approved, the independent review would start by the end of December and report back by the end of March 2027.

It would examine committee governance, how the "fit and proper person" test is applied, women's safeguarding, how Police Scotland objections are handled, and whether there are lessons to learn regarding equality and organisational culture.

Councillor Atkin said: "This is not kicking it in the long grass – we have to know how we got to where we got to for the public to have confidence in licensing again," adding that the level of public outrage was like "nothing I have known".

In a joint statement, the seven councillors emphasised that the motion aims to rebuild trust: "Licensing exists first and foremost to protect the public. Residents and visitors alike should have confidence that licensing decisions place public protection, safeguarding and the prevention of harm at their centre."

Full council will vote on whether to pass the motion next week.


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