Blackburn cab driver told to remove 'Free Palestine' sticker
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A CAB driver has been told to remove a ‘Free Palestine’ sticker following a complaint that is was 'offensive'.
Shafiq Khan said it is the first time there has been a complaint made since he put the sticker there six months ago.
The sticker is placed on the Covid safety screen facing the back seat passengers in the taxi.
Blackburn with Darwen Council said they had received an official complaint from a customer and the driver has been asked to remove the sticker.
Mr Khan said he was then contacted this month and told that the sticker had been deemed ‘offensive’ and it contravened Private Hire licensing laws and regulations.
The laws state that ‘it would not be deemed appropriate for a poster, sticker or any sign supporting any political view or party to be displayed in a private hire vehicle’.
Mr Khan said: “I just can’t understand this. I put the sticker up back in May and most people who sit in the cab have a conversation about it. Other people do not mind at all and there has been no issue at all in the past.
“This is the first time anyone had made a complaint. “I was contacted by the council who told me that someone had complained and I should remove the sticker as someone had been offended by it.
“I do not see the sticker as political at all but more of a humanitarian issue. This is not about Muslims, Jews or Christians but about people.”
Mr Khan started working as a taxi driver in January 2020 and said he wanted a full explanation.
He said: “I can’t see why this would be offensive. For instance, if I got into a cab and I saw an Israel flag or an American flag I would not complain. It is their choice and opinion.
“I do not believe the sticker ‘Free Palestine’ is offensive, however if the sticker breaches the said rules, then I am happy to comply.”
In correspondence from the council Mr Khan was told that ‘it would not be deemed appropriate for a poster or sticker supporting any political view to be displayed in a private hire vehicle. We are in the process of reviewing our policy and will look to make sure that future wording is clear about this point.”
Cllr Jim Smith, executive member for environment at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “The licensing team recently investigated a complaint regarding a sticker in a taxi.
“Council Taxi Licensing policy states: “Conditions attached to private hire vehicle licences - 1 (a) unless required by statute, order, or as mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c), no signs, lights, advertisements or other fittings shall be displayed on or from the vehicle except a radio aerial which is to be fitted in such a manner as to satisfy the council.
“As per the policy, the driver has been asked to remove the sticker from the private hire vehicle.”
Asif Mahmud, Drive4Justive activist said: ‘The rules are ambiguous and vague. If they deem a ‘Free Palestine’ sticker to be a political statement, then virtually all statements are political.
"Having a poppy or the Union Jack are also political statements using the councils interpretation of the rules/guidance, hence is the council intending prohibiting such things in all private hire vehicles?"
