Taxi Driver Online

If anyone in Manchester has any further information on this incident can you please enlighten us.
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Chorley Guardian

July 27, 2006

HEADLINE: Taxi row councillor: 'I'm not racist'

A CHORLEY councillor has vowed to clear his name after being arrested following an allegation of racially motivated common assault. Shaun Smith, who is a Conservative councillor for Wheelton and Withnell, strongly refutes the allegation which centred on an alleged incident at Manchester Airport involving a taxi marshal. His partner, Amanda Halgreen, was also arrested after being accused of making racial comments.

The couple have spoken of their devastation at what has happened but insist they've done nothing wrong. The arrests came at the end of a weekend in Paris four weeks ago, where they'd been to see Robbie Williams in concert. They'd been arranging a taxi ride back to Chorley outside the main airport terminal, when the incident occured at 10.30pm. Coun Smith, who has been a councillor for two years, said: "For legal reasons I can't comment on what happened so as not to prejudice the case. "However, details have emerged about the incident so it's important I emphatically deny the allegation. I 110 per cent deny them. They are without foundation.

"I am not a racist. My best friend happens to be Indian but the colour of someone's skin is not an issue for me. "I've been a councillor for two years and I'll do anything for anyone. It has been a dreadful experience but I will clear my name." Coun Smith was arrested at the airport and asked to report back a week later for a formal police interview, when his fingerprints and DNA were routinely taken. He now has to report back to the police on August 7 to find out if the case is going to proceed. His partner, Amanda Halgreen, said the incident had been one of the worst experiences of her life but she vowed to clear her name. "They tried to imply we were drunk but we'd only had a couple of glasses of wine," said Ms Halgreen. "The whole thing was awful. It has been blown out of all proportion. "All we were trying to do was get a taxi to take us back to Chorley." Coun Peter Goldsworthy, leader of Chorley Borough Council, said: "No charges have been made and at this point we're taking no action. "Shaun informed me of what happened but we'll have to let the investigation run its course."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Poilice said: "At approximately 10.20pm on Monday 19 June 2006 police were called to a taxi rank at Manchester Airport following reports that a man had been assaulted. "A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault and a racially aggravated public order offence. He has been bailed until August 7 pending further enquiries."
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