Dear Helen,
On Wednesday, as you know, we met Commissioner, Mike Brown.
At the meeting I asked for all 13,000 PH drivers who have had to "Re-Apply" for a new DBS check to be stopped from working until new checks have been implemented on the grounds of Public Safety:
You explained that not only did you feel that was not necessary, but also stated to those present that you believe whole heartedly that all those who would reapply, would pass.
The next day on LBC radio, the Mayor gave an interview where he stated the 13k PH drivers "had not" undergone and passed an enhanced DBS ( like every taxi driver must do ).
We are not talking "like for like" here Helen, as you well know and on this new evidence put forward by our Mayor, I again urge you in the name of public safety to suspend every PH who has yet to pass an enhanced DBS from working.
Yours Sincerely
Grant Davis
LCDC
Taxi Leaks Extra Comment :
Helen Chapman was asked at a Taxi Forum;
Why are Taxi drivers waiting for DBS certificates, not being issued temporary licenses (as always used to be the case under the PCO) and being stopped from working?
She replied;
If anything happened in a Taxi and something subsequently showed up in a DBS....I would be unable to live with myself.
Yet now we have 13,000 Private Hire drivers, alleged to have fake DBS certificates, which Chapman has known about since January this year.
Apparently TfL were going to let this just slip by under the carpet. It was only after information was given to the Sunday Times by the LCDC, that a statement was issued proclaiming that the 13,000 PH drivers would be given 28 days to resubmit new DBS certificates and be allowed to carry on working.
In the last 8 months that Chapman and TfL have known about the fake DBS certificates, there have been over 30 serious sexual assaults by Uber drivers on passengers (according to Met Police statistics of 1 every 11 days).
How can Helen Chapman, General Manager of TfLTPH possibly live with herself now?
Again, we see a woefully inadequate performance from TfLTPH, as the general public are placed at risk by Chapman's decision.
Helen, is there one rule for a Taxi drivers and another for PH drivers?