Liberal Democrats Expel Councillor Over Convicted Rapist's Taxi License

The Liberal Democrats in Highland Council expelled Councillor John Grafton with immediate effect following a meeting on July 5, 2026. The party took action after Grafton became one of six members to vote in favor of maintaining a taxi operator's license for David Brown, a convicted rapist currently serving a sentence of six years and nine months.

Police Scotland had formally objected to the license renewal because Brown raped an 18-year-old passenger in Dingwall in 2023. While Grafton resigned from the licensing committee on Friday, party leadership determined that expulsion was necessary to ensure public safety remains paramount.

The controversy led to further political fallout within the local authority. Committee chairman Sean Kennedy and Councillor Duncan Macpherson resigned from their positions, while Councillor Willie Mackay resigned from the council entirely. In response to the row, the Liberal Democrats pledged to review the licensing committee's procedures to ensure the 'Fit and Proper' test remains central to all future decisions.