# Highland Council taxi licence controversy persists

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/highland-council-taxi-licence-controversy
> Updated: 2026-07-27T09:41:05.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 3.

In mid‑July 2026 residents of Inverness rallied after Highland Council’s licensing committee voted to let convicted rapist taxi driver David Brown keep his operator’s licence. The six‑member vote, split along gender lines, triggered public outrage, a petition that quickly amassed nearly 6,000 signatures, and the resignation of several councillors.

By July 16 the council announced an emergency in‑person meeting for 4 August to reconsider the decision. Four councillors had already quit the licensing panel and one was expelled from the local Liberal Democrat group. The Highland Women’s Rights Group organised a peaceful protest outside the council headquarters, urging a public hearing and the revocation of Brown’s licence.

On July 27 the council disclosed that it was seeking a solicitor to advise on the licensing matter, signalling that a full‑council review is imminent. The episode coincided with a separate decision by South Cambridgeshire District Council to refuse a private‑hire licence to a driver with serious convictions, underscoring growing scrutiny of taxi‑licence standards across UK councils.

The situation remains pending as Highland Council prepares to review the licence amid sustained community pressure.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-27: UK councils block taxi licences for drivers with serious convictions

UK councils barred taxi licences for drivers with serious convictions, with South Cambridgeshire refusing a licence and Highland seeking legal advice after allowing a rapist driver to keep his licence, sparking

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-councils-block-taxi-licences-for-drivers-with-serious-convictions

### 2026-07-16: Highland Council faces protest over taxi licence for convicted rapist

Highland Council convenes an emergency meeting on 4 Aug to review a jailed rapist’s taxi licence, amid resignations and a protest demanding transparency and safety.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/highland-council-faces-protest-over-taxi-licence-for-convicted-rapist

### 2026-07-12: Highland Council licence decision for rapist taxi driver sparks protest

Highland Council allowed a convicted rapist taxi driver to keep his licence, sparking an Inverness protest, councillor resignations, and an appeal filing.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/highland-council-licence-decision-for-rapist-taxi-driver-sparks-protest

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Cite as: Highland Council taxi licence controversy persists. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/highland-council-taxi-licence-controversy