Taxi Driver Online

Blackburn cab driver told to remove 'Free Palestine' sticker

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... e-sticker/


Image: Lancashire Telegraph

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?"

he's entitled to his opinions but that is a bit in your face

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

If you really need an explanation then you really are super thick.

P*** heads don't need an excuse to cause trouble at night, signs like that don't help at all.

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IDFIMH

He's right about the double standards and inconsistency, but all this shouts 'attention-seeker'


Cabbie's ‘double standards’ claim over ‘Free Ukraine’ sticker in Blackburn taxi

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... burn-taxi/


Image: Lancashire Telegraph

A TAXI driver who was told to remove a ‘Free Palestine’ sticker by council bosses has asked why the same rules were not applied to his ‘Free Ukraine’ banner when he went for his cab’s MOT.

In December last year, cabbie Shafiq Khan said how he was told to remove a ‘Free Palestine’ sticker from his vehicle because it was deemed “offensive” after a single passenger complained.

In correspondence with Blackburn with Darwen Council, he was also told “it would not be deemed appropriate for a poster or sticker supporting any political view to be displayed in a private hire vehicle”.

It was only when the council was sent images of the ‘Free Ukraine’ sticker this week by the Lancashire Telegraph that the council confirmed the same policy would apply.

On Monday, Mr Khan took his vehicle for its taxi MOT at the council-run testing centre and he said “no mention” was made of the ‘Free Ukraine’ sticker adorning the safety screen in the back of his cab.

Mr Khan said: “I took in the vehicle in with the ‘Free Ukraine’ sticker in a prominent position facing the back seats.

“It was in the very same spot I had the ‘Free Palestine’ banner. No issue was made whatsoever, and the taxi was passed.

“I am happy putting the Ukraine banner up as the people are standing up to oppression and tyranny. But I cannot understand how such a big deal was made of the ‘Free Palestine’ banner.

“Should I be allowed to put the Free Palestine sticker back up alongside this one or anywhere else in the vehicle?”

Last year, Mr Khan was told the ‘Free Palestine’ sticker contravened private hire licensing laws and regulations and was asked to take his vehicle to inspectors for them to prove that the sticker had been removed.

Mr Khan, who started taxi driving in January 2020, said: “The ‘Free Palestine’ sticker had been up for six months and nobody had said anything.

“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.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council was sent a picture of the new ‘Free Ukraine’ sticker, which had been seen on at least two occasions at the council’s taxi base where inspectors had not noted its presence.

The council was asked to clarify the ruling.

Martin Eden, strategic director of environment and operations at the council said: “The licensing team investigated a complaint made by a member of the public in 2021 regarding a Free Palestine sticker in a private hire taxi.

“As per the Taxi Licensing policy, the taxi driver was asked to remove the sticker from the private hire vehicle.

“The same taxi driver is now displaying a Free Ukraine sticker within the private hire vehicle.

“The Taxi Licensing Policy clearly states that ‘unless required by statute, order, or as mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c) of the policy, 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 will be asked to remove the sticker from the private hire vehicle.”

Following the new announcement Mr Khan said: “I am still concerned no issue of the sticker was made when I went for the check. It shows how the policy is confusing.

“We have seen the ‘Free Ukraine’ banners posted on the front of buses and council property. So I do hope the same rules will apply there.”

Aye, a sticker in a Blackburn PHV will really help the fight against oppression and tyranny in Ukraine

The fella needs to move on.

If he wants to do something for Ukraine or Palestine, then raise and donate some money to one of the many charities that work in those countries.

And stop fannying around with stickers and the press.

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IDFIMH