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Fareham CC fools |
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Fareham CC fools |
  Cabbies
banned from flying flag for England
Shame on you Carole Hanaghan - Licensing officer Sean Woodward - Council Leader Email your disgust to them info.centres@hants.gov.uk FOOTBALL-loving cabbies today hit out at council chiefs who have told them to take England flags off their taxis. Patriotic drivers were furious when a Fareham council official demanded they remove the flags because they broke licensing rules. But the cabbies have vowed to keep supporting the World Cup squad in Japan and refused to take down the banners. The cabbies were shocked when they were told to remove the flags during a spot check by licensing enforcement officer Carole Hanaghan at the taxi rank by Fareham station. Driver David Rush from Fratton was told three small stickers, bearing the red and white St George's Cross, had to go. The furious 44-year-old, who was also planning to put two flags on his livery, said: 'We live in a democracy and they are not going to tell me I can't fly my flag for my country. 'We just want to celebrate the fact our team is in the World Cup and cheer them on. It's pathetic and I think it's disgusting we can't show a little pride. He added: 'Are we going to get in trouble for flying the Union flag for the jubilee?' John Cross was also told to remove the 3in George's Cross plaque he had attached to his silver Audi. The 52-year-old, from Peel Common, Fareham, said: 'I'm proud of our team and want people to know. I just don't understand their attitude.' And chairman of the Fareham Taxi Association Tom Gane, who pays the council £168 for his Hackney licence and was due to meet council officers today, said: 'They can take my licence away but there is no way I'm going to take mine down.' But Fareham council leader Sean Woodward stood by the decision today and said it was council policy that taxi drivers needed permission if they wanted to put stickers, advertising or flags on their car. He said: 'They've infringed the by-laws under which the licence is granted. They can request to put anything they want on their cars and if they want to discuss that with the council, something can be agreed.'
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