[claytonender]

I sent the following letter to the Observer, but don't know whether it will get published this week.
Sir

Last week, when I picked up my copy of the Observer, I was appalled to read that the Licensing Committee of Hyndburn Council had allowed a taxi driver, who had been convicted for a sexual assault in November 2006, to have his licence back. I note that 2 of the members of the Licensing committee, Marlene Haworth and Brian Roberts, are also members of the Cabinet. From their decision, I can only assume that the ruling Conservative Group has no regard for the safety of passengers in taxis within Hyndburn. Have these people no regard for the victim of the assault, how must she be feeling, knowing that the man who perpetrated this crime has been allowed to carry on with his job, which is a position of trust.

I would ask, the 5 members of the Licensing Committee, who voted to allow the taxi driver to have his licence back, to examine their consciences. How would they feel about their mother, wife sister, daughter or granddaughter being a passenger in the taxi of any driver who had a conviction for a sexual assault. The one member of the committee, who acted in the best interests of the residents of Hyndburn, by voting against the decision, was the Labour Councillor Clare Pritchard, and she deserves to be thanked for her stand.

Surely, all members of the public are entitled to get into a taxi without worrying whether the driver has a criminal record. This decision will have a very adverse impact on other taxi drivers, because the 99.9% who are completely innocent of any wrongdoing will be still regarded with suspicion by the public. Surely it is very unfair, that the majority will now be regarded with suspicion.


Yours etc

Joan Smith