Taxi Driver Online

Two taxi officials in Trafford ‘cash for licences’ probe are sacked


Two council officers at the centre of a ‘cash-for-cab-licences’ probe have been sacked. Taxi licensing officials Alan Wright, 51, and Martin McKinley, 54, were dismissed from Trafford council for gross misconduct.

Officials launched an investigation after a complaint from within the taxi trade last autumn.

It is believed the town hall probe related to payments allegedly made by applicants who had failed part of the application process.

Mr Wright and Mr McKinley were suspended at the end of March. Mr McKinley, of Moss Lane, Sale, is a former police officer who left the force nine years ago.

Six weeks after they were suspended the pair were arrested as part of a parallel criminal investigation into suspected misconduct in public office. They remain on police bail.

It is understood they were fired last Monday and have a month to appeal against the dismissal.

Taxi licences in Trafford cost £128, once applicants have passed a rigorous series of tests.

They include criminal records and medical checks as well as the ‘knowledge’ – a rigorous set of questions based on their memory of the area’s roads.

It is understood investigators have inspected exam papers overseen by the pair dating back several years.

We also understand that any applicants affected – believed to run into double figures – have been given the chance to re-take their tests for free.

A council spokesman said: "Following a thorough internal investigation under Trafford council’s disciplinary procedures, two licensing officers have been dismissed from duty on the grounds of gross professional misconduct.

"Trafford council would like to assure members of the public and the licensing trade that it takes all matters of misconduct seriously and robust processes are in place for the management of the taxi licensing process."

The pair have been bailed until Friday while police investigate whether any criminal activity has taken place.

Greater Manchester Police declined to comment.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... are-sacked

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

How can somebody who is prepared to bribe a council official be considered 'fit & proper'

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I'd have said bribing a public official was an offence.

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/a_to_c/brib ... _2010/#a13

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Moses worked hard to get this one taken out.

11. He that giveth and he that taketh a bribe should each be suspended by the danglyth bits until he ith sorryish unto death.

Maybe it should "Cometh in" now.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

That was in the first time he came down from the mountain, but the silly gubber smashed the tablets in rage at what he saw at the foot of the mountain and when he went back up the mountain to get Version 2.0 their had been a downgrading to just the 10 Commandments.

If only Moses had not lost his temper!!

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

Moses said unto the people "Listen my brothers, I got good news, I got bad news. Good news is, I got it down to ten. Bad news is, Adultery stays in".

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

Perfect illustration of why the rule book is only as good as the reader tbh.

This sounds as if there is a bit of a whitewash going on here ok yes they should be sacked BUT surely all the people who bribed them should face criminal charges ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Obviously Moses wasn't British or there would 359 Commandments and 5759 Sub-Commandments and a Commandment Bill, Along with a Further 35,789 EU Commandments as part of the ECHR Commandment Legislation, all chiselled into 300 hundred Languages on Safety Tablets with special allowances for the LGBT who can covet who or what they so please.

Moses just did not know how bloody lucky he was to get by on just Ten...