Taxi Driver Online

JP DRIVES TAXI FOR CRIME INC

A JUSTICE of the Peace has admitted he works for a private taxi hire firm at the centre of a money-laundering probe.

Bailie Jim Todd drives for Network, which is owned by the notorious McGovern crime clan.

The firm is one of six which rakes in £600,000 a year in contract work from Glasgow City Council mainly in school runs. Todd, who sits on the licensing board, has been Labour councillor for Springburn since 2002.

In February, Network's Springburn HQ was raided as part of Operation Maple, a police blitz on crooked assets.

Last night, a Glasgow City Council spokesman said that taxis were licensed but radio bases were not. He added that Network's contract with them was not at risk and claimed: 'No evidence has been brought to the council's attention.'

Using the call sign C192, Todd spends his day driving for Network and attending council duties at the city chambers.

His entry in the register of interests states: 'Net Work = Self Employed Taxi Driver (Car Owner).'

As a JP he can dispense justice on criminal cases in district courts and sign official documents such as passport applications.

Most private hire firms in Glasgow and many across Scotland are owned by organised crime gangs.

MSP Sandra White said: 'I find it astonishing that a councillor would choose to work for a company like this.

'He should be aware of what is happening in the area he represents. He should know all about concerns relating to private-hire companies in general, including this one.'

Todd refused to say whether he knew the firm's offices had been raided by police. He admitted having heard of the McGoverns but said he had no dealings with them. In a prepared statement he said: 'I can confirm I'm a self-employed taxi driver who obtains fares through Network Private Hire and that is a matter of public record.'

Todd lives with wife Sandra in a detached home in Bishopbriggs. He was unknown in city political circles before winning the Springburn ward in 2002.

He won the by-election after the death of his predecessor Ron Davey, who was close to the McGoverns.

One source said: 'There was one incident when Davey was threatened and assaulted by a member of the McGovern family. There was no police involvement.'

Network is fronted by Allan Gibson and former council taxi enforcement officer Kenneth McLeod, both 44. Glasgow's taxi enforcement officers all quit in 1995 after being threatened by gangster-run firms.

They included McLeod, who is now the official face of Network Scotland's second-largest taxi firm.

Politics in the area are dominated by the Martin dynasty. Michael is MP and Speaker of the House of Commons and his son Paul is the MSP.

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IDFIMH

if this is common knowledge then how on earth do they get their operators licence renewed?

They lean on the Council Steve, it's been going on up there for years. There was a programme on TV a couple of years ago about the crime involved within the Cab Trade of Glasgow, as Sussex posted the trade is being used to launder drug money on a huge scale. Can you remember a few years ago when the owner of the Taxi Centre got gunned down outside his home? No one was bought to justice for this.

Where it is just crazy in Scotland, is due to the fact that they don't have operator (firms) licenses.

Thus even if it is common knowledge that some really bad boys run the big PH circuits, there is f*** all councils can do about it, because there is nothing they can take away.

Apart from big council contracts I suppose.

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IDFIMH

When does the fit and proper persons policy come in? If we did it on that scale we'd have our licenses took away as fast as we could say where you going sir?

If I understand it correctly what we have in Scotland is that anybody that wants a plate can have one... a sort of delimitation. And they can do what they want because they have nothing to lose... We can only hope that such a dreadful situation never happens South of the Border.
Ged

No, in Scotland the issue of taxi and PH plates is broadly in line with England and Wales. Some councils have taxi limits, some don't.

Where Scotland differs, is that they don't have operator (firms) licenses. Hence the scum up there can own and run PH firms no problem, because the local councils have nothing to revoke.

I have often wondered how the LOs can check on PH plying for hire, if the driver can say that the customer rang him. Whereas down here that call/job will have to be logged somewhere.

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IDFIMH

It's probably something to do with the vehicle and/or driver licensing conditions - ie they must keep a record of bookings etc.

The McGovern name also came up in Scottish TV programme in May about the security industry up here - undercover reporters exposed the cartels and gangsters that control the security industry and who torch building sites and threaten staff if they won't use their services - ie basically a protection racket masquearding as legit security firms.

The programme approached the Scottish Executive about licensing them, but they wouldn't give them an interview.

Likewise, they've been faffing around with licensing taxi/PH radio rooms for years, and they'll probably faff around for another few years before it's actually done.

no Ged, not in your trade they cannot.

nige fit and proper person comes at driver licensing stage

Should be bought into operators to.

Doesnt it sum it up that this firm is now being run by an ex taxi licensing officer.
Dont they have any shame?

Don.t they have shame?
NO NO NO.
Scotland is rife with under handed sleaze bags.
Most larger towns and Cities have there Scottish Mafias.

Councillors if not in with them are s--t scared of them.
Legislate the offices,with fit and proper people.

Andy Capp,also known as Al Capone.

Nuff said.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5028278.html

bet he didn't drive a taxi but one of the other lot. he was after all a soap-dodger

I wonder if he has ever driven a taxi/PH for it's proper use.

Alex

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