Uber given licence for London despite ‘gung-ho’ attitude

Uber has been granted a short-term licence on conditions including that it reports criminal allegations against its drivers to police
Uber has been granted a short-term licence on conditions including that it reports criminal allegations against its drivers to police
SIMON DAWSON/REUTERS

Uber has been given a short-term probationary licence to operate in London despite criticism from a judge of the company’s “gung-ho” attitude.

Magistrates gave the company permission to operate in the city for 15 months, overturning a decision last year not to renew its licence.

Uber, based in Silicon Valley, admitted this week that London’s transport authority had been right to withdraw its licence but argued that it should be renewed because it had made “wholesale” reforms.

The licence was awarded at Westminster magistrates’ court yesterday, despite warnings over the company’s behaviour in the past.

Judge Emma Arbuthnot criticised Uber’s “gung-ho” attitude and said that its previous managers had focused on attempting to “grow the business come what may”. She also accused it of trying