(Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)

Uber was repeatedly given a ‘green light’ by transport bosses before the decision to suspend its licence to operate in London, according to The Times.

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TfL inspections between 2013 and this year did not find any fault with the company, sources told the newspaper.

Data released under Freedom of Information requests showed that TfL inspectors visited the company’s London HQ ten times and found it satisfied regulatory requirements.

Uber has 21 days to appeal the decision and the final day of its current licence will be on September 30.


There had been growing speculation that the app could be banned from London. Opponents of the firm claim it causes gridlocked roads and does not do enough to regulate its drivers.



Uber enables users to book cars using their smartphones, and is available in cities across the UK.

Some 3.5 million passengers and 40,000 drivers use the Uber app in London.

Uber has said that the decision shows that London is not open (Picture: Getty)

Last month Uber was accused by police of allowing a driver who sexually assaulted a passenger to strike again by not reporting the attack, along with other serious crimes.

In a strongly worded letter, Inspector Neil Billany of the Metropolitan Police’s taxi and private hire team suggested the company was putting concerns for its reputation over public safety.

He cited the case of a man who worked for Uber being allowed to stay on the books despite an allegation of sexual assault, leading to another ‘more serious’ attack on a woman in his car.

A string of serious crimes it allegedly failed to report included more sexual assaults and an incident in which a driver produced what was thought to be pepper spray during a road-rage argument.

Uber said at the time it was ‘surprised by this letter’ and claimed it does not reflect the ‘good working relationship we have with the police’.

Black cab drivers have protested against Uber since the company arrived in London (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Uber's statement in full Uber said in a statement that the decision would Confirming Uber would appeal against the decision in court, Tom Elvidge, the firm’s general manager in London, said: ‘3.5 million Londoners who use our app, and more than 40,000 licensed drivers who rely on Uber to make a living, will be astounded by this decision. ‘By wanting to ban our app from the capital Transport for London and the Mayor have caved in to a small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice. If this decision stands, it will put more than 40,000 licensed drivers out of work and deprive Londoners of a convenient and affordable form of transport. ‘To defend the livelihoods of all those drivers, and the consumer choice of millions of Londoners who use our app, we intend to immediately challenge this in the courts. ‘Drivers who use Uber are licensed by Transport for London and have been through the same enhanced DBS background checks as black cab drivers. Our pioneering technology has gone further to enhance safety with every trip tracked and recorded by GPS. ‘We have always followed TfL rules on reporting serious incidents and have a dedicated team who work closely with the Metropolitan Police.’ He added: ‘Uber operates in more than 600 cities around the world, including more than 40 towns and cities here in the UK. This ban would show the world that, far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies who bring choice to consumers.’

Uber said in a statement that the decision would ‘show the world that, far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies’.

Mayor of Sadiq Khan said of the decision not to issue Uber with a licence: ‘All companies in London must play by the rules and adhere to the high standards we expect – particularly when it comes to the safety of customers.

TfL said: ‘TfL considers that Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications.’

In London, the firm has faced criticism from unions and traditional black cab drivers over working conditions.

TfL said: ‘Providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security.’

Maria Ludkin, GMB Legal Director, said: ‘This historic decision is a victory for GMB’s campaign to ensure drivers are given the rights they are entitled to – and that the public, drivers and passengers are kept safe.

‘As a result of sustained pressure from drivers and the public, Uber has suffered yet another defeat – losing its license to operate in London.

‘It’s about time the company faced up to the huge consequences of GMB’s landmark employment tribunal victory – and changed its ways.

Uber has proved extremely popular among Londoners since its arrival (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

‘No company can be behave like it’s above the law, and that includes Uber. No doubt other major cities will be looking at this decision and considering Uber’s future on their own streets.’



Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a statement: ‘I want London to be at the forefront of innovation and new technology and to be a natural home for exciting new companies that help Londoners by providing a better and more affordable service.

‘However, all companies in London must play by the rules and adhere to the high standards we expect – particularly when it comes to the safety of customers. Providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security.

‘I fully support TfL’s decision – it would be wrong if TfL continued to license Uber if there is any way that this could pose a threat to Londoners’ safety and security.

‘Any operator of private hire services in London needs to play by the rules.’

Labour MP Wes Streeting, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis, said: ‘This is a courageous decision by the Mayor and Transport for London, finally drawing a line in the sand to make it clear that no company, however big and powerful, will be allowed to flout our laws and regulations or jeopardise Londoners’ safety without facing serious consequences.

‘Uber has not shown itself to be a fit and proper operator. It stands accused by the police of failing to properly handle serious allegations of rape and sexual assault of passengers.

‘It had to be dragged through the courts to recognise its responsibility to provide even the most basic rights and protections to Uber drivers. Its business model is based on saturating London’s taxi and private hire market to drive its competition off the road.


‘That’s why major cities across North America and Europe have already banned Uber from operating on their roads.’

Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association said: ‘The Mayor has made the right call not to relicense Uber. Since it first came onto our streets Uber has broken the law, exploited its drivers and refused to take responsibility for the safety of passengers.

‘We expect Uber will again embark on a spurious legal challenge against the Mayor and TfL, and we will urge the court to uphold this decision. This immoral company has no place on London’s streets.’

Maria Ludkin, legal director of the GMB union, which took Uber to an employment tribunal last year over workers’ rights, said: ‘This historic decision is a victory for GMB’s campaign to ensure drivers are given the rights they are entitled to – and that the public, drivers and passengers are kept safe.

‘As a result of sustained pressure from drivers and the public, Uber has suffered yet another defeat – losing its license to operate in London.

‘It’s about time the company faced up to the huge consequences of GMB’s landmark employment tribunal victory – and changed its ways.

‘No company can be behave like it’s above the law, and that includes Uber. No doubt other major cities will be looking at this decision and considering Uber’s future on their own streets.’

And Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: ‘Uber has consistently failed to reach acceptable standards of service, safety and security and we applaud this decision which is a victory for passengers and also a vital step in protecting the livelihoods of the skilled and experienced London taxi drivers who are being unfairly undercut by Uber.


‘This is a success for our campaigning and all those who work in the trade and must be a stepping stone to end the deregulation in the industry which has created such chaotic, unsafe and exploitative conditions.

‘The next steps should include the introduction of a statutory definition of plying for hire and also for MPs to get behind the Private Members Bill put forward by Daniel Zeichner MP to reform the taxi and private hire industry.’

TfL said Uber is allowed to launch an appeal against the decision within 21 days and can continue operating ‘until any appeal processes have been exhausted’.

It added: ‘No further comment will be made by TfL pending any appeal of this decision.’

aroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, said: ‘This decision has not been made lightly by TfL, and indeed they temporarily extended Uber’s licence to ensure extra time was granted to fully examine the record of this company.

‘Passenger safety must come first. Sadly Uber has not given sufficient attention to the safety of passengers, their drivers or other road users. The evidence about their poor record cannot be ignored.

‘Instead of devoting so much effort to challenging this decision in the courts it would be far better if Uber went away and looked at their working practices.’