Councillor resigns from licensing roles after rapist taxi driver outrage

EXCLUSIVE

A Highland councillor has resigned from the region's licensing committee after a controversial move to allow a convicted rapist to retain his taxi operating license.

Lib Dem John Grafton is one of six councillors who made the decision to allow David Brown to keep his operator's license.

Brown was given a jail sentence of more than six years in May for attacking an 18-year-old female passenger in December 2023.

Last week's decision by the Licensing Committee was made in private and objections were raised by Police Scotland.

We've been told David Brown's wife requested for the operator's license to continue.

Four women on the committee voted against the operating license being retained in David Brown's name, while six men voted for it to continue.

In a statement, Councillor Grafton confirmed he would be stepping down from roles he held within the Highland Licensing Committee and Licensing Board.

He said: "The decision I made on Tuesday 23rd June 2026 was made on the basis of the presentation on the day.

“This was supported by other members questions and comments.

“The taxi driver's licence for David Brown had been taken away some time earlier, he was imprisoned and was not going to ‘get out’ for some time.

“Further, his operator’s plate had been returned and I presumed would be struck out.

“At the time, I made the decision to protect the wife and family of a convicted rapist from further harm.

“I had checked the situation and asked the question if there was any legal implications, assured myself that he presented no current threat.

“The remaining vehicle licence would expire well before he was due for release and his wife could apply for a licence in her own right.

“It is my compassion and my processing which led me to this decision on the day.

“We have been told in Licensing several times that we are not here to punish, that is the job of the courts.

“With the benefit of hindsight and information that was not available on the day, I now believe that this was not the right decision.

"I am therefore resigning from the Licensing Committee and Board, this is not a decision I have taken lightly and something I have lost sleep over."

Councillor Grafton also explained the information he was not aware of at the time of the committee meeting includes how another operator could have offered David Brown's wife another job or the committee may have been able to give her an operator's licence on the day.

He added: “I would like to thank the chair of the board, Councillor Jackie Hendry for her support during my time on the Board and apologise to her and my fellow ‘lady’ members for the distress I have invoked.

“I would also like to apologise to the victim and their family for any distress this may have caused, that was not my intention.

"I really do want taxis to be a safe option for people whatever their gender or neurodivergence or disability.

"I hope we can make some adjustments in council to reinforce the safety of all.”

Several charities, including Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH) and Inverness Women's Aid, have criticisied the decision by the Highland Council committee.

Highlands and Islands MSP, Maree Todd, is also outraged by the move and called for the male councillors who voted in favour to resign.

She said: "I share the public outrage about this decision.

"As licensing is a matter devolved to the Highland Council, I am unable, in my capacity as an MSP, to intervene in its decision-making process.

"However, I believe that the decision reached by these six male councillors is inexplicable, indefensible, and should be overturned.

"I have publicly called for the decision to be reversed and for the male councillors involved in this decision to resign from the licensing committee."

In a rare statement, Highland Council looked to reassure the public yesterday that the decision concerned David Brown's taxi operator license, not his taxi driver's license.

They also confirmed the decision will be reviewed by full council.

A spokesperson said: "The Council does not normally comment on individual licensing cases, especially those held in private.

"However, given the public interest in this item, it's important we clarify some facts:

"Mr Brown does not have a taxi driver’s licence. This was suspended in January 2024. Mr Brown is currently in jail serving his sentence.

"Following his conviction in May 2026, Mr Brown's taxi operator’s licence - a licence for his vehicle - was brought before a recent meeting of the licensing committee for review.

"A taxi operator licence cannot be transferred to another person.

"Following the decision at the committee, a Standing Order 16 Notice of Referral has been initiated by the Chief Officer - Legal and Corporate Governance.

"The licensing committee decision will now be referred to a future meeting of The Highland Council for further consideration by all members."