Uber wins appeal over Brighton licence

Uber has won an appeal against Brighton & Hove City Council's decision to strip the minicab app of its licence.

The council confirmed it had lost the case and said it was disappointed in the Brighton Magistrates' Court ruling.

The council had been concerned Uber had not kept to its local standards but the court felt it met national licensing requirements.

Uber has now been granted a five year operating licence and said it was pleased with the court's decision.

The company had continued working in the city while the appeal was determined.

The licensing panel had turned down a renewal application after "significant concerns" about a data breach by Uber in 2016.

It was also concerned about the firm's lack of commitment to use only Brighton & Hove licensed drivers in the city.

But District Judge Tessa Szagun ruled Uber had "satisfied me that they are now fit and proper to be granted this licence".

Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, said it was disappointed the court had "caved in" and let a "greedy and immoral" firm win.

"Despite claiming that it is a fit and proper operator, Uber has not changed. Neither we nor the council are fooled," he said.

"This controversial and wrong decision is likely to be appealed."

An Uber spokesman said: "We are pleased to see the district judge in Brighton come to the same conclusion as the 30 other councils that have granted or renewed Uber's licence since September 2017 - namely, that Uber is a fit and proper operator.

"We are proud of the progress we have made and we want to continue to be a partner to the cities we serve."