Sadiq Khan accuses Uber of 'making aggressive threats' over London ban in fiery interview

Hatty Collier25 September 2017

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has accused Uber of “making aggressive threats” and not playing by the rules in a fiery interview defending the decision to strip the firm of its licence.

Mr Khan said the ride-hailing firm had an “army of PR experts and lawyers” and had threatened “all sorts” following Transport for London’s ruling that could see the end of the car hire firm operating in the capital.

A petition protesting against Friday’s shock ruling has gained more than 740,000 signatures so far.

Uber's head of cities UK, Fred Jones, told the BBC the company would like to sit down with TfL to discuss its concerns.

The Mayor said: “I appreciate Uber has an army of PR experts. I appreciate Uber has an army of lawyers. They’ve also made aggressive threats about taking us to court and all the rest of it.”

BBC presenter Mishal Husain then asked: “Why is that aggressive? TfL are threatening to take away their licence.”

Mr Khan replied: “Because you can’t have it both ways – on the one hand acting in an aggressive manner and threatening all sorts of things, on the other hand briefing to journalists that they want to do a deal with TfL.

Fears: Uber drivers are concerned for their financial security and livelihoods
EPA

“I’m quite clear in my mind that London should be a place for innovation. London should be a place for innovation. London should be a place for new technology London should be a place where new companies set up.

“But, you’ve got to play by the rules.”

Asked if he agreed with shadow chancellor John McDonnell's description of Uber as a "disgrace", Mr Khan said: "That's not words I'd use."

Shadow chancellor Mr McDonnell weighed in on the row over the taxi app firm at the weekend. He told ITV’s Peston on Sunday: “Hand on heart, I don't think I've ever used Uber.

“The company is a disgrace. You have to abide by the law. If the company was outside the law, what could Transport for London do?

"I think the company is at fault here. Four months ago they were told to get their act together and they didn't."

The Mayor said he was "happy to talk to anybody" about the situation.

TfL’s ruling that Uber was “not fit and proper” to hold a private hire licence has dismayed many of the 3.5 million Londoners who have come to reply on cheaper rides and raised questions about the future of 40,000 drivers.

TfL cited safety concerns over the company’s approach to reporting serious criminal offences.

The decision was also partly based on Uber’s approach to obtaining medical certificates and running background checks, with TfL saying the company had demonstrated a “lack of corporate responsibility”.

But the Financial Times reported that TfL is responsible for checking the backgrounds of drivers, sparking accusations the charge was “bogus”.

A spokesman for TfL said it would not comment on specifics of background checks while it considers Uber’s appeal.

Uber’s Mr Jones said: "Once we understand we can work with them to figure out what is it that they would like us to do and how can we move forward."

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