IN THE NEWS
SWALE COUNCIL ORDERS iCARS TO REMOVE POPPIES AND STICKERS FROM VEHICLES
A local taxi boss has spoken of his disbelief after Swale Council ordered his company to remove Remembrance poppies and Royal British Legion stickers from his fleet following a single complaint. Neil McLennan, owner of iCars, was told by a licensing officer that the displays violated council advert- ising policies.
The magnetic stickers,featuring military vehicles, a Union Flag and the phrase: “Lest We Forget”, and poppies had been proudly displayed on the taxis for several years to support veterans and raise awareness for the charity. Along with the poppies and RBL stickers, Neil was also told to peel off names from his cabs. These are used to make it easier for people with dementia, learning difficulties or disabilities to know what car is picking them up. Speaking about the incident, Mr McLennan said: “I was in disbelief
when I received the phone call. I just thought it was ridiculous and I was disgusted. I’m not a veteran but feel strongly about supporting those who fought to protect us.” The ruling sparked widespread anger from local leaders and politicians. Cllr Richard Palmer, a former soldier, demanded an immediate apology, stating: “It is absolutely disgraceful that a council would order people to remove such things which honour those who served. The council should apologise.”
Local MP, Kevin McKenna, also intervened, writing to the council to urge a reversal and noting that the taxi firm provides an invaluable service to the community. Following public backlash, the local authority has withdrawn its demand regarding additional name labels used to help disabled passengers. A sub-committee meeting is now scheduled to discuss a potential policy exemption for the charity displays. A council spokesperson main- tained that the action was taken solely due to a formal complaint regarding vehicle policy com- pliance rather than the cause itself, adding that the policy will be reviewed to ensure future clarity. iCars has now set up a petition to allow taxis and PHVs to display Remembrance poppies. You can sign the petition here:
https://shorturl.at/le4Xx
LONDON CABBIE FINED £60 FOR DROPPING OFF DISABLED PASSENGER IN LONDON
A veteran London black cab driver has been hit with a £60 parking fine after stopping briefly to help an elderly woman with a cane to her door. Gary Taylor received the penalty
after dropping off the
passenger at 10.30pm in the Brentford Lock area. Despite explaining to Parking Collection Services (PCS) that he was a professional licensed driver assisting a vulnerable customer, his appeal was rejected. The company stated that conditions of
20
parking apply to all motorists and that “being a taxi driver does not provide an exemption”. Mr Taylor, 58, was warned the charge would rise to £100 if unpaid. “I’m normally very careful as it is so easy to get a ticket in London. I had no idea it was private land and did not see the signs as it was dark. I was on double yellows, but cabbies have an exemption to let customers out. We are normally permitted to stop and allow customers in and out of the cab safely.”
Local MP Ruth Cadbury expressed deep concern over the incident, calling it another example of a private parking firm acting unfairly against a driver who was simply helping someone home. Steve McNamara, LTDA general secretary, slammed parking firms for operating like the “Wild West” with a “licence to print money”, warning that CCTV and ANPR cameras trap law-abiding road users while criminals who doctor number plates evade detection.
SEPTEMBER 2026 PHTM
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