Story perspectives

Four Highland Council Members Resign Over Convicted Taxi Licence Vote

7/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Four Highland Council licensing committee members resigned after the vote—six male councillors supported and four female councillors opposed—to let convicted taxi driver David Brown keep his operator licence.
Chairman Sean Kennedy, John Grafton, Duncan Macpherson and Willie MacKay left the committee, with MacKay quitting as a councillor.
SNP councillor Chris Birt was asked by leader Raymond Bremner to resign, prompting the suspension of John Grafton by the Liberal Democrat group.

1 of 1

Story summary

Four Highland Council licensing committee members resigned after the vote—six male councillors supported and four female councillors opposed—to let convicted taxi driver David Brown keep his operator licence.
Chairman Sean Kennedy, John Grafton, Duncan Macpherson and Willie MacKay left the committee, with MacKay quitting as a councillor.
SNP councillor Chris Birt was asked by leader Raymond Bremner to resign, prompting the suspension of John Grafton by the Liberal Democrat group.