Resignations after male councillors vote for rapist taxi driver to keep operator licence

Four councillors from Highland Council have resigned following controversy over their decision to allow a convicted rapist to retain his taxi operator’s licence. The incident sparked widespread public outrage and internal disciplinary actions within the local government body. The councillors involved were among six male members of the licensing committee, who cast their votes in favor of maintaining the licence despite the man’s criminal history.

The situation unfolded when David Brown, a 50-year-old taxi driver from Croy, near Inverness, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison in May 2024 for raping an 18-year-old female passenger. The assault occurred in December 2023 during a night out in Inverness. According to court records, Brown picked up the young woman intending to return her to her Highland village but instead drove past her destination and stopped near a farm between Strathpeffer and Dingwall. There, he sexually assaulted her before abandoning her in sub-zero conditions in Dingwall. The court described the experience as “terrifying” for the victim, who was forced to endure the attack.

Following Brown’s sentencing, his taxi driver’s licence was suspended in January 2024 due to the emergence of details regarding his crimes. However, his operator’s licence—allowing him to run a taxi business—was under review by Highland Council’s licensing committee. This came just weeks after his conviction. The committee was asked to decide whether to take no action, suspend, or revoke the licence.

The decision was made in private, reportedly to protect the identity of the victim. The committee received a request from Brown’s family, prompting the six male councillors to vote in favor of allowing the licence to continue, while the four female councillors opposed the move. After the decision drew significant backlash, including condemnation from local advocacy groups and police authorities, several councillors stepped down.

Willie MacKay, Sean Kennedy, Duncan Macpherson, and John Grafton all resigned from the committee. MacKay, an independent councillor, also resigned from the council entirely. Grafton was suspended by the Scottish Liberal Democrat group on Highland Council, while Kennedy remained an independent. SNP councillor Chris Birt, another of the six male councillors, was urged by his party leader, Raymond Bremner, to resign from the committee. Bremner emphasized the importance of prioritizing the well-being of the victim and women in the Highlands, stating it was his personal belief that Birt should step down.

The decision by the committee was met with strong criticism from organizations such as the Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland and Rape Crisis Scotland, which called the outcome a “harmful message” for women’s safety. Police Scotland also expressed concerns, objecting to the continuation of Brown’s operator’s licence. These groups argued that allowing the licence to remain could undermine efforts to ensure public safety and send a dangerous signal to potential victims.

In statements, some of the resigning councillors defended their actions, citing the limited information they had access to at the time of the meeting. Macpherson, for instance, stated that he believed officials had assured him that Brown would never be allowed to operate a taxi again. He expressed deep regret over the decision, particularly given his role as a father and grandfather, and acknowledged the emotional toll it had taken on his conscience. Similarly, Grafton noted that with additional knowledge gained afterward, he might have reached a different conclusion.

As the fallout continues, the council faces pressure to address the implications of the decision and restore public trust. The resignation of these councillors marks a significant shift in the composition of the licensing committee, potentially altering future decisions related to taxi operations and safety standards. The ongoing scrutiny highlights the complex balance between legal procedures, community welfare, and the ethical responsibilities of local governance.