This is a bit like the Uber/Veezu response to stuff like this at times - just say the driver is self-employed, and that the complaint should be made to the council instead.
Funny thing, though, this local firm doesn't seem to have done anything other than say the driver won't be sent to this particular customer again.
Meanwhile, the mother seems to think that vetting doesn't happen, and that if it did then it would guarantee drivers like this wouldn't get a badge
Great photo of the mother used for the article, though - very appropriate for an article like this. Not
West Lothian mum horrified as driver makes 'weird' remarks to schoolgirl daughterhttps://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/ed ... r-28549639A West Lothian mum was left horrified and disgusted after a driver made inappropriate comments, including discussing sex and drugs, towards her daughter as he drove her to school.
Image: Edinburgh LiveA West Lothian mum was left horrified after hearing from her daughter that a private hire driver, who was taking her to school, made grossly inappropriate comments.
Sarah-Dawn Blackie, of Armadale, sent her daughter off in the vehicle and messaged her later to make sure she had arrived on time. To her horror, the 17-year-old told her the driver was a bit 'weird' and brought up several subjects she found uncomfortable discussing.
She alleges the man told her that "lassies should try drugs when they are on holiday and s*** boys for experience too."
Sarah's daughter also alleges that the driver said to her "A lassie should only s*** 10-15 boys in their lifetime".
The youngster said: "The stuff that came out his mouth baffled me. It's nine in the morning and I'm talking about drugs with a taxi driver."
Sarah was understandably furious, and complained to West Lothian & County Private Hire, the firm that had supplied the driver for the job.
In an email reply shared with Edinburgh Live, they said: "I'm so sorry to hear of your daughter's experience with one of the drivers yesterday and can only apologise for any distress he caused.
"I have gone ahead and excluded the driver from your mobile number immediately so that he is not offered any future bookings you make with the company.
"Given the severity of your complaint I would suggest that this matter be reported to the West Lothian Council Licensing team. Drivers are self employed & their taxi/PHC licence issued by WLC, this means drivers are answerable directly to them for matters such as this.
"I do hope your daughter and yourself are ok."
The horrified 38-year-old mum spoke to Edinburgh Live, saying: "I just don't want anyone else's child to have to experience this. The way he talked to her was so creepy.
"I'm furious that this happened, someone who works with children should really be getting checked out before they get the job.
"He shouldn't be driving kids to school if he thinks that sex and drugs are appropriate things to be discussing with them."
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of this complaint, and have passed details to the Cab Inspector at the Taxi Examination Centre, who has responsibility for investigating complaints of this nature on behalf of the council.
“In general complaints about the behaviour of hire car drivers or the standards of hire car vehicles should be made to the Licensing Team by emailing
licensingservices@westlothian.gov.uk. We would urge all persons who have concerns about the behaviour of hire car drivers or the standards of hire cars to contact the Licensing Team.
“More information about how hire car complaints are handled can be found on the taxi drivers webpage
https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/ ... s-Licences. Information about the council’s powers to take action if complaints are upheld is available on the website
https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/ ... nforcement.”
West Lothian and County Private Hire has been approached for comment.
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