Highlands and Islands MSP Morven May MacCallum has called for a change in Scottish law that would automatically prevent anyone convicted of a serious sexual offence from holding a taxi licence.
The Scottish Liberal Democrat raised the issue with the First Minister at Holyrood on Tuesday 22 September following the controversy surrounding convicted rapist David Brown and his taxi operator licences in Highland.
MacCallum, who is also a Black Isle councillor, wants the Scottish Government to review licensing legislation and remove the possibility of someone convicted of a serious sexual offence retaining a taxi licence.
The issue became the subject of intense public and political scrutiny after Highland Council’s Licensing Committee decided in June to take no action against two taxi operator licences held by Brown following his conviction.
Brown did not hold a taxi driver’s licence at that point, with Highland Council confirming that his driver’s licence had been suspended in January 2024.
The licences considered by the committee were taxi operator licences connected to vehicles.
Highland Council subsequently referred the committee’s decision for reconsideration by the full council, but Brown surrendered both operator licences before that could take place.
The controversy did not end there, with Highland councillors later voting overwhelmingly to declare no confidence in five councillors involved in the original Licensing Committee decision.
MacCallum has now taken the issue to the Scottish Parliament and written to the First Minister asking for legislation to prevent a similar situation arising again.
She said:
“A convicted rapist should never have been in a position to keep a taxi licence.
“The fact that he could shows our licensing laws are simply not fit for purpose.
“At the heart of this case is a young victim who has watched this ordeal play out in the headlines for months, while the law left the outcome in the hands of the man who attacked her.
“Women need to know that, when they get into a taxi, they are safe.
“That is why I have challenged the First Minister directly to change the law so that no victim is ever put in this position again.”
Her proposal would go beyond criticism of the way the Brown case was handled and change the legislation governing who can hold taxi licences in Scotland.
Any automatic prohibition would require the Scottish Government and Parliament to determine precisely which convictions would trigger a ban and how that would operate within the existing licensing system.
The Brown case has already prompted considerable scrutiny of Highland Council’s decision making and the responsibilities placed upon councillors when considering taxi licensing matters.
MacCallum now wants the controversy to lead to a change in national law.
Her argument is that when someone has been convicted of a serious sexual offence, whether they can continue holding a taxi licence should no longer be a decision left open to discretion.
