Taxi Driver Online

TAXI-GATE: Ex-Milton Keynes Mayor vouched for asylum seeker who is now a convicted paedophile




Sex scandal mayor Subhan Shafiq has admitted giving a character reference to ANOTHER serious sex offender – an asylum seeker who is now a convicted paedophile.

This time Councillor Shafiq vouched for would-be cab driver Malik Aftab Ahmed when he applied to come to the UK from Pakistan.

But after his application was granted Malik was arrested and convicted of four counts of serious sexual assault – two of them involving a girl under the age of 16.

He is currently serving a five-year prison sentence and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Mr Shafiq told the Citizen his Home Office reference was given “many years ago” before Malik committed the offences.

“I have not spoken to this man for over five years and I am horrifed at these offences,” he said.

It is understood Ahmed worked as a taxi driver, though Milton Keynes Council can find no record of him having a licence locally.

Mr Shafiq resigned as Mayor of Milton Keynes in August after it emerged that a taxi driver he personally vouched for was a convicted rapist. Nadeem Ahmed Kiani had four previous convictions for serious sexual offences, where he and a friend worked together to threaten women with weapons before raping them.

Although Mr Shafiq is no longer mayor he has refused to step down as a councillor –and his party has encouraged him to stay.

Last week the Citizen exclusively revealed Mr Shafiq had been linked to an alleged immigration racket that provides false citizenship test certificates for foreign workers. Police have now requested to see our evidence.

On Wednesday, as the Citizen went to press, a spokesman for Lib Dem headquarters in London vowed an “urgent investigation” would be held.

Meanwhile a Home Office spokesperson said: “We will consider all evidence we receive concerning allegations of fraudulent behaviour in the immigration system.”

Already one leading Lib Dem has admitted Mr Shafiq may have to stand down.

Councillor Ric Brackenbury told the Citizen: “Any councillor only serves as a representative of their electors with their consent.

“If they have lost their confidence or no longer wish to continue, the cost has to be balanced against the lack of effective representation in that ward.”

Mr Brackenbury even suggested the public should have the right to sack councillors.

He said: “MPs are discussing recall measures at the moment – maybe it’s time to look at similar measures for councillors to give power to our residents to withdraw that consent, should they wish.”

source: http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/loca ... -1-6386984

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

Some people just don't know when to quit.

_________________
Grandad,

Lib Dem admits Milton Keynes councillors may have to resign over rapist scandal


A leading Lib Dem has admitted the councillors embroiled in the rapist cabbie scandal may have to stand down.

Councillor Ric Brackenbury says Stuart Burke, Subhan Shafiq and Gladstone McKenzie should all resign as councillors if they have lost the public’s confidence because of their part in allowing a convicted rapist to drive a city taxi for three years.

Mr Brackenbury told the Citizen: “Any councillor only serves as a representative of their electors with their consent.

“If they have lost their confidence or no longer wish to continue, the cost has to be balanced against the lack of effective representation in that ward.”

Mr Brackenbury, who represents Campbell Park and Old Woughton, has even gone as far to suggest the public should have the right to sack councillors.

He added: “MPs are discussing recall measures at the moment – maybe it’s time to look at similar measures for councillors to give power to our residents to withdraw that consent, should they wish.”

His admission comes the week after a full council meeting saw Stuart Burke, the former licensing and regulatory chairman, announce he had “no intention” of resigning - as it would be a waste of taxpayers’ money.

“I came third in my ward so I’m up for re-election in May anyway. I have no intention, at this point, in resigning because I don’t believe that we want to waste your money having a by-election over this issue.

If the councillors involved were to step down by Friday, November 7 then MK Council could have a by-election within 35 days.

But if left any later the by-election cannot be held and instead the vacancy will be filled in May 2015.

http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/loca ... -1-6387456

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

May?

ffs you couldn't mark these people with a pickaxe

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

LAP DOGS WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU EXPECT EHHHHHHHHHHH ARE YOU SERIOUS CAPT


CLEGGITES IE KKUNTS

_________________
All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

Tory group leader says ‘taxi scandal needs to end now’

Councillors who allowed a rapist to drive a city cab have just 24 hours to answer calls to step down and resign. If not they will remain in office until May.

MK Tory boss Edith Bald has called for the resignation of the Lib Dem leader and said it was an “insult to the women of this city” that the councillors involved have refused to take responsibility for their actions.

She claims Councillor Douglas McCall has shown “poor leadership” by standing by his members Subhan Shafiq and Stuart Burke – despite public pressure to quit.

Mrs Bald said: “I am ashamed that my peer, Mr McCall, has refused to take accountability for the action of his members.

“Failure to act is an insult to women of this city and taxi users more widely. It has caused untold reputational damage to the hardworking honest taxi drivers who serve Milton Keynes, and to the reputation of the city overall.

“Those who continually fail to see the error of their ways should resign immediately.

“Only then will the people of Milton Keynes feel that true accountability for putting public safety at risk has been accepted.”

Mr Burke was chairman of the licensing and regulatory committee that granted the convicted rapist’s licence after a personal recommendation from ex-mayor Mr Shafiq.

Tomorrow sees the end of a 10-week saga as a strict deadline scuppers the chance of a by-election to replace Mr Shafiq and Mr Burke, who are up for re-election next year.

This means they will continue to represent Monkston and Emerson Valley for the next six months.

If Mr Shafiq, Mr Burke and Mr McCall were to resign as councillors, a third of the Lib Dem will have left the council.

Last week, political lobbying group TaxPayers’ Alliance slammed Mr Burke’s admission that he had “no intention” of resigning – as it would be a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Spokesman Andy Silvester told the Citizen the average by-election only costs around £3,000, and that “you can’t put a price on democracy”.

He said: “If we followed this logic to its conclusion, we’d do away with elections completely. Whether the councillor stands down is for him to decide, but the cost is no excuse.

“This case demonstrates the clear need for voters to have power to recall politicians when they feel let down.”

An audit report investigating the licensing scandal, which has taken three months to compile, is being heard by the committee on November 25. The Lib Dems say they will not comment on the resignations of councillors until the audit report is released.

How much is £3,000 to Milton Keynes Council?

The annual council budget for 2014-15 is £200million. That means the council spends £3,000 - the cost of a by-election - every 7 minutes and 53 seconds.

Before he resigned as licensing and regulatory Mr Burke’s council allowance was £18,094. He could expect to be paid £3,000 - the cost of a by-election - every two months.

During 2012-13, councillors spent almost double the cost of a £3,000 by-election on travelling to their duties and paying for their dinner, through their travel and subsistence expenses.

source: http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/loca ... -1-6400759

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

Rapist taxi driver scandal: Today is the deadline for two councillors to resign


Two councillors who allowed a rapist to become a city cabbie must resign today - or else avoid an election for another six months.

Councillor Stuart Burke was chairman of the licensing and regulatory committee that granted a taxi licence to convicted rapist Nadeem Kiani.

Fellow councillor Subhan Shafiq appeared at the hearing and gave Mr Kiani a personal recommendation - he later become mayor of Milton Keynes, before being forced to resign over the scandal.

Although both Mr Burke stepped down from the committee and Mr Shafiq was told to resign as mayor, they have both refused to resign as councillors; if they do not step down today they can avoid a by-election until May 2015.

A third councillor, Gladstone McKenzie, also remains on the council despite resigning as vice-chairman of the licensing committee.

Unlike Mr Burke and Mr Shafiq he has apologised for a “serious error of judgement”. He can still resign after today as he is not due for re-election until 2017.

This week, MK Tory boss Edith Bald demanded the resignation of all councillors involved, including the Lib Dem leader Douglas McCall for showing “poor leadership” and standing by his members.

source: http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/loca ... -1-6404470

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

I agree with the Vermin on this one .................................Lap Dogs equals scuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum!

_________________
All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

VIDEO: Investigation into rapist taxi scandal findings revealed



An investigation into how a rapist was allowed to drive a city taxi for three years has been detailed in a report released this morning.


Milton Keynes Council launched an Internal Audit Service following the city cabbie scandal that emerged in August.

The findings of that taxi licensing investigation were published today.

At a press conference this morning, chief executive of the council, Carole Mills, and leader Pete Marland told the press they wanted to “restore trust” in the council and taxi trade.

> Watch an exclusive video of this morning’s press conference and see updates on this developing story throughout the day.

http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/loca ... -1-6421669

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

I assume that the resignations were not forthcoming.

_________________
Grandad,

I think the mayor stood aside - but carried on as a councillor

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

FULL STORY Taxigate: Milton Keynes Council releases initial report - but still no resignations



Milton Keynes Council has released its report into the rapist taxi driver scandal, following a three-month investigation.

The 42-page document was issued at a press conference on Monday morning, and details how a convicted rapist was allowed to drive a taxi in Milton Keynes for three years.

The report does NOT call for any action to be taken against staff or councillors involved in the decision, although it does list the measures taken by the council to change its taxi licencing policy.

However the issue will be considered by the council’s Audit Committee on November 25 - with its members given a brief to recommend any additional action, including the resignations by the councillors involved.

In a prepared statement, council leader Peter Marland said: “I’m very pleased that this issue has been treated with the weight and gravity it deserves, and it is being dealt with quickly and properly.

“While we must remain vigilant we are in a much better place than we were three months ago. This supports the pledge I made to be open, transparent and robust in taking action to ensure that taxi licensing policy is as good as it can be.”

The report follows the scandal of the convicted rapist who was granted a taxi driver’s licence to work in Milton Keynes, despite having four separate convictions for serious sexual offences.

Mayor Subhan Shafiq was forced to resign his post following the scandal after giving a personal reference for the man, who he described as a “lifelong friend”.

However Mr Shafiq, and councillors Stuart Burke and Gladstone McKenzie who both appeared on the committee which granted the licence, have all refused to step down as councillors, while Milton Keynes Council has now power to force them out.

Council chief executive Carole Mills outlined a number of measures which have been introduced since the scandal broke, including a new taxi licensing policy, compulsory training for councillors, drivers’ details being published online, and all taxi drivers being “strongly encouraged” to undergo enhanced DBS checks.

http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/full ... -1-6421536

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

TAXI ROW: Decision to grant convicted rapist a licence 'followed procedure'




An internal report by Milton Keynes Council has found that councillors 'followed procedure' when they granted a taxi licence to a convicted rapist.

But the internal audit report questioned whether the decision was 'appropriate, good or reasonable' and has implemented a number of new policies to try and avoid previous mistakes.

It stop shorts however of recommending whether anybody should resign from their roles following the scandal.

Council leader Pete Marland and chief executive Carole Mills held a press conference at the civic offices this morning to unveil the report - which follows the decision of a number of councillors to grant convicted rapist Nadeem Ahmed Kiani a private hire licence, and subsequently a hackney carriage licence.

Councillors Stuart Burke and Gladstone McKenzie stepped down from their roles on the committee after the licence was granted, while Subhan Shafiq resigned from his position as Mayor having given a character reference to Kiani, who he said he had known since childhood.

Despite numerous calls from colleagues, and two official petitions, Cllrs Burke, McKenzie and Shafiq are still operating as councillors.

The report highlights a number of changes which have either already been implemented or are in the process of being implemented. They include:

•Training to be provided for councillors on the regulatory sub committee. Training has already been arranged for November 24.
•Considering disallowing personal references from councillors.
•Taking full minutes of regulatory sub committee meetings, and recording how individual councillors have voted
•Carrying out new DBS checks on taxi drivers


One recommendation not carried through though was a prohibition of granting a licence in relation to some convictions - including sexual offences.

The report considered that the existing policy was 'sufficient to deal with all eventualities to safeguard the public'.

Carole Mills, chief executive of Milton Keynes Council, said: "I commissioned this review in light of the serious concerns brought to our attention in late August, both to understand how a convicted rapist had been granted a taxi licence, and to examine all the processes and procedures associated with taxi licensing.

"The audit committee will receive the report when they meet on November 25.

"The report concludes that the licence application and review of applicant A (Nadeem Ahmed Kiani) were dealt with in a manner that was consistent with other cases at the time, and that the decision was within the scope of discretion allowed. However, although procedure was followed, this does not automatically mean that the decisions were appropriate, good or reasonable.

"There are also a number of recommendations within the report relating to improvements of taxi related procedure. It is important to emphasise that the report focuses on the policy at the time these recommendations were made.

"I'm pleased to say that in the intervening months, significant improvements have been made to the council's taxi licencing service. Of all the recommendations made, most have already been implemented while others are in progress.

"Actions we have taken so far include adopting a new taxi licencing policy in September, comprehensive training for councillors sitting on the regulatory sub committee, all drivers names and badge numbers and the details of their start and expiry date of licence are now published on the website, and we have contacted all 1,300 private hire and hackney carriage drivers and offered them an appointment to come in for an enhanced DBS check.

"We can deal with 105 individuals every day, and by Friday this mean we should have seen 420 drivers. We have however only processed 241 due to a high proportion of no shows, which we are of course following up.

"We have also had to turn away a number of drivers due to insufficient documentation.

"This has been a very difficult time for the council and the taxi trade, but as a result of the work we have done we have more rubust procedures in place which will help the council make sound decisions relating to taxi licencing."


Read more: http://www.mkweb.co.uk/TAXI-ROW-Decisio ... z3JKsOHokW

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

A small step in the right direction

_________________
All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

It seems that these folk have dug themselves into a hole and are carrying on digging

Lib Dem councillor defends his decision over rapist taxi driver


A rapist who drove a city taxi for three years had “done his crime, served his time”, according to a Milton Keynes councillor.

Councillor Stuart Burke was chairman of MK Council’s licensing committee which renewed the licence of Nadeem Ahmed Kiani - despite documentation detailing his convictions.

Mr Kiani attacked women by hiding in the back of a car, threatening them with weapons and forcing them to strip.

But in an internal audit released by MK Council today, Mr Burke is quoted as defending his decision to grant the rapist - convicted of four serious sexual assaults - a taxi licence.

Mr Burke said: “If you are just going to look at the paperwork then everyone who ever comes before me is guilty.

“If you merely look at the paperwork and you’re not there listening to what the person has to say you get a different impression.

“You see a very different person to the person you saw; you see someone who understood what he had done wrong and realised.

“I think that it did weigh heavily on our mind that the time that had passed between his offences and now.

“I still look at our current policy and think, well would he fall foul of our current policy and I don’t think he would.”

Mr Kiani forced his victims to remove their clothes before being raped and seriously sexually assaulted in turn over a three-month period in 1994.

Mr Burke’s fellow Lib Dem councillor Subhan Shafiq gave a character reference for Mr Kiani at the committee meeting. In August, Mr Shafiq stepped down as Mayor of Milton Keynes over the scandal.

Mr Burke added: “He was incredibly frank about what had happened.

“In fact he told us more than is on here, which is what had suprised me to be honest. He then proceeded to admit and acknowledge that what he’s done was wrong and that he accepted that.

“He was a 20-year-old and had made mistakes and that he’d served his time; he regretted everything he had done.”

source: http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/loca ... -1-6421992

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