Taxi Driver's Licence Scandal Shocks Bracknell

An investigation has found that Bracknell's rapist taxi driver, son of the former Labour mayor, was granted a licence under the previous Conservative-led Bracknell Forest Council. Labour leader Cllr Helen Purnell launched the probe after taking charge in March and set protecting women and girls as a priority.

Ms Purnell said: "My investigation has uncovered a shocking trail of negligence under the Conservatives. Diwan Kahn was issued a taxi licence without a DBS check under the Tories.

"Why? Because Bracknell Conservatives outsourced our licensing to West Berkshire council beyond local control and oversight, the Conservative government relaxed the rules at a national level, and COVID disrupted normal operations. Frankly no explanation is good enough for such a failing."

Tory leader Gareth Barnard responded: "It is simply untrue to suggest that any Conservative councillor personally approved Diwan Khan's licence. The council's own review confirms that the licence was issued in 2021 through a statutory delegated process administered by the Public Protection Partnership.

"Taxi licensing decisions are taken under delegated legal powers by officers, not by individual councillors acting on behalf of a political administration."

Khan, 41, of Bracknell, was found guilty of rape at Winchester Crown Court on 11 February 2026 and sentenced on 30 April. He held a hackney carriage and private hire licence from January 2021 until it was revoked on 11 January 2024 following his arrest on a separate offence.

Auditors, reporting to the council's governance and audit committee on 17 June, found most policies were followed and no evidence that outside bodies raised concerns before January 2024. But a major failing was identified: there was no evidence that Khan's Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate had been seen before his licence was granted. The report says that, had it been reviewed, he would have been unlikely to meet the required criteria.

Six recommendations were approved, including a full audit of licensing processes, clearer reporting for investigations, improved monitoring of shared-service actions, and considering whether senior officers should be formally alerted to risks and non-compliance.

Ms Purnell added: "All licences issued by Bracknell Forest will be audited, we will cost bringing licensing back in house to Bracknell Forest under our control, and we will look at strengthening rules for drivers working in the borough."

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter