A FORMER part-time taxi driver has rejected suggestions his appointment as chairman of Worcester’s licensing committee will cause a conflict of interest.

Councillor Jabba Riaz said Labour claims that he knows every taxi driver, of which there are hundreds, in the city is ridiculous.

The Conservative backbencher said he held a taxi licence that recently expired and added he was not a driver for long.

“That licence recently expired and I’ve been out of the trade for about two years,” he said.

“These accusations were the last thing I was expecting.

“I cleared everything with legal and democratic services prior to putting myself forward for the position.

“In any case, if there is someone I know personally I will declare an interest.”

Labour members voiced their concerns about Coun Riaz’s nomination to be made licensing chairman during Tuesday night’s annual meeting and put forward Coun Paul Denham to oppose him.

Coun Riaz won by 18 votes to 16 and he is now on a mission to bring a fresh approach to the way licensing works in Worcester after former chairman Coun David Clark retired from politics at the beginning of the month.

Coun Riaz said while Coun Clark had done “amazingly well” with the majority of issues he felt the relationship between the council and the taxi trade was strained.

He said long-term issues surrounding overflowing bays remain a problem.

“That’s something that is going to go on for a long time,” he said.

Coun Riaz said he was particularly concerned about public safety and added he was keen to continue enforcement action against those who flout the law.

He is also looking to extend alcohol free zones to cover more of the city centre and said proposals to do that should be announced in the near future.

Of his elevation to chairman, Coun Riaz said: “It’s a vitally important role that affects the whole of Worcester’s economy.

"The aim is to improve on what we have already achieved.”