Couple of previous threads on this guy, but this is quite an interesting case
Should be revoked on the basis of what he's wearing anyway
Petition started to reinstate licence of Workington taxi driver
https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2498 ... xi-driver/
Image: News & Star
A PETITION has been created to reinstate the taxi licence of a former town councillor from Workington, charged last year with writing 'offensive' social media posts, after his application was denied by Cumberland Council.
Gerard Glaister, the former owner of Ged's Taxis who also used to sit on Workington Town Council, had his taxi licence revoked by Cumberland Council in August 2024.
Mr Glaister had been arrested by Cumbria Police on August 8 and charged, under the Malicious Communications Act 1988, with posting Facebook content which was 'Islamophobic' and 'homophobic' - content which court papers said was “of an indecent or grossly offensive nature for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety”.
But the proceedings - which took place following the summer's riots at a time described by one judge as a 'period of heightened sensitivity' - were 'discontinued' on September 13.
At Carlisle Crown Court, the prosecution said that following a review of the case, it had taken the view that 'it was not in the public interest to proceed'.
"You should take great care in future," the judge said at the time. "Posting material on the internet can — and does — constitute criminal offences and can have serious repercussions."
Mr Glaister applied for his taxi licence to be reinstated by Cumberland Council. But at a council regulatory sub committee meeting held last Monday, February 24, the decision was made not to grant the application.
The refusal was made under Section 59 (1)(a) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. The sub-committee determined that the applicant "did not meet the necessary criteria to be considered a 'fit and proper' person to hold a taxi driver’s licence".
The committee said the decision was "based on numerous social media posts, over a period of time, which the sub-committee had found to contain discriminatory and highly offensive content".
A petition has now been created asking the council to reinstate Mr Glaister's licence. It's gained 161 signatures since it was started earlier this week.
Mr Glaister told the Times & Star he has launched an appeal against the council’s decision through the magistrates' court.
The 57-year-old, who had been a taxi driver since 2001, says he believes in being ‘innocent until proven guilty’ and that he currently holds no convictions.
