Shropshire Star

Telford Private Hire Drivers' Association chairman suspended

The chairman of the Telford Private Hire Drivers' Association has been suspended, it was revealed today. Mohammed Zaman and a second private hire driver was suspended by Tel-ford & Wrekin Council licensing chiefs.

Published

The chairman of the Telford Private Hire Drivers' Association has been suspended, it was revealed today. Mohammed Zaman and a second private hire driver was suspended by Tel-ford & Wrekin Council licensing chiefs.

It comes after Mr Zaman said he was called by colleagues to the council's MoT depot in Donnington on January 20 during a spot-check operation.

He alleged that the council licensing officers were only stopping Asian drivers during weekly spot checks.

He said voices were raised between himself and a licensing officer.

Mr Zaman said he had done nothing wrong and was now calling for an investigation into allegations of racial discrimination against private hire firms, which was previously the subject of an inquiry in Telford.

He added: "We are asking for the Race Equality people to reopen the inquiry from 2006. I am fighting this all the way. I ran the association with a clean heart. I'm going to clear my name."

The drivers have been suspended for allegedly bre-aching licence conditions.

Russell Griffin, council spokesman, said: "The suspensions will remain in place until they are considered by the council's licensing committee on March 8.

"The drivers concerned have the right to appeal against the decision to the magistrates court within 21 days."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.