A ‘root and branch’ review has been launched by town hall bosses into how sex offenders had been handed taxi licences.
Figures reported by the M.E.N today revealed 292 people with criminal convictions have been allowed to drive cabs in the city since 2007.
These were said to include people with serious sexual offences such as paedophilia on their records.
And council leaders have now ordered an immediate probe into the ‘horrifying’ revelations, which will be headed up by the authority’s chief executive, Sir Howard Bernstein.
Those in charge of the licensing process say they have already established that no one who is on the sex offender’s register is currently driving a taxi in the city.
They confirmed that driver with a historic rape conviction had been given a licence in 2007 but has since had it removed.
However, they have now vowed to go through each case involving a driver with a ‘conviction’ to their name, or who has any other areas of concern flagged by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks which the council carries out on each driver.
Town hall bosses will then produce a written report for councillors to scrutinise and will take action against any driver if necessary.
Coun John Flanagan, Acting Executive Member for Licensing said: “I was horrified when I saw these allegations in the M.E.N.
“We take them very seriously. I’ve immediately ordered a root and branch investigation.
“We have nothing to hide. We will look at every single piece of evidence as we do not want drivers who have sexual offences against them,
“There are over 6,500 drivers in Manchester who work hard for their families, add to the economy of this city and get people home safely at night.
“Am I confident they are decent people? Yes I am. But we can’t sit on our laurels.”
There are currently 15 councillors on the licensing committee, sitting on panels of three when hearing cases.
The committee’s chair Coun John Longsden said: “We are adamant under our regime, anyone with a whiff of sexual impropriety will not be getting a licence or their existing one renewed.
“There are parameters of what the law allows us to consider but we also judge if that individual is a fit and proper person.
“I personally use the rule ‘would I let my granddaughter go in a taxi with this person?’”
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/council-launches-probe-sex-offender-8300096
Comment: Well Councillor Flanagan and Councillor Longsden, perhaps you should look no further than yourselves.
You were in your positions in October when one of our members received this email.
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