No action taken against police chief's wife's car hire firm

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

More than half of Afghanistan’s families live in extreme poverty

Leila is watching her baby intently, as his mouth moves trying to swallow the small blob of yellow p...

Time for a new approach to alcohol

Ambulances were called and three drunk teenagers were brought to my care. One was so drunk we had to...

Bahrain: One year on

I am used to endless lies and criticism from the BNP and its favourite blogster, as well as Islamist...

Paul Volcker stands tall against the banking lobby

Why is Europe, which likes to present itself as an opponent of speculative "Anglo-Saxon" finance, li...

Suggested Topics




No legal action will be taken as a result of an investigation into a luxury car hire firm based at the home of Britain's counter-terrorism police chief.









Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick faced potentially embarrassing questions over the nature of the business, run by his wife Judith.



Council officials launched an inquiry after it emerged the company was offering chauffeur-driven outings as well as a wedding car service.



If this was the case the owners would be required to obtain a private hire vehicle and operator's licence. Its drivers would also need to be licensed.



Richard Woodward, director of community services at Tandridge District Council, said the company has now stopped offering non-wedding services.



He said: "We have held discussions with the owners, who have given assurances they are currently providing a car service for weddings only.



"This type of car service does not require local authority licensing and the company has stopped offering any other services.



"The company is considering what other services it may want to provide in the future, but will discuss these with the council to ensure they comply with all licensing requirements."



Mr Quick, who is responsible for Scotland Yard's Specialist Operations branch, sparked a row after blasting a newspaper article about the business.



He accused Conservatives of trying to undermine a high-profile Whitehall leaks inquiry which involved the arrest of Tory frontbench MP Damian Green.



The senior police officer said he was forced to move his family as a result of the publicity but later retracted his allegations and apologised.



It was claimed security concerns arose over the car hire firm's website as it included Mr Quick's home address. The website has since been changed.



Surrey Police, where Mr Quick was Chief Constable between 2004 and 2008, contributed to a booklet explaining the rules affecting private car hire firms.



One passage read: "No person shall operate any vehicle as a private-hire vehicle in Tandridge without having a current operator's licence. This (is) in addition to any requirement for a vehicle or driver's licence."



The firm's website said the company uses "the best examples of Rolls Royce's available for our wedding cars and operate our service in Surrey, Kent, Sussex and London."



No-one at the car hire firm was available to comment. The Metropolitan Police referred all inquiries to the company.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

How an abortion divided America

How an abortion divided America

Single mother who took a pill to end her pregnancy is now fighting a landmark prosecution in a conservative state
Can you master a language in a weekend?

Can you master a language in a weekend?

Ed Cooke insists he can use his techniques as a memory expert to help novices learn even the hardest tongues.
The 10 best heaters

The 10 best heaters

From the DeLonghi Retro Fan Heater to the Dimplex MicroFire
Coming soon to a shelf near you: The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers

Coming soon to a shelf near you

The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers
Mad, bad and delightful to know: How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

As the poet takes centre stage in the West End, Boyd Tonkin looks into the life of the outspoken champion of the poor
Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

New digital novel will overturn centuries of literary tradition by allowing readers to choose how they would like story to end
How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

With London Fashion Week starting tomorrow, designers are closeted in studios putting finishing touches to their collections
James Lawton: Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past

James Lawton

Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past
How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

United have met Ajax only once before in Europe, in 1976. The key performers recall an electric occasion
Civil war at Ajax

Civil war at Ajax

A rift between two club legends has torn the Dutch giants apart
Lewis Moody: For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now

Lewis Moody column

For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now
Geoff Toovey: Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world

Geoff Toovey interview

Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world
Picture preview: Portrait of London

Portrait of London

Picture preview
No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'