Four councillors quit after vote for rapist taxi driver to keep operator licence
The Rape and Sexual Exploitation Service Highland and Rape Crisis Scotland said the committee’s decision sent a “harmful message” about women’s safety.
Police Scotland had objected to Brown’s continued licence.
The council’s licensing committee, which is discussing the matter in private, is understood to have the option of taking no action, suspending or revoking the licence.
Grafton and Highland Alliance councilor Macpherson told BBC Scotland News councilors voted based on the information presented to them at the meeting.
Macpherson said he was assured by authorities that Brown would never be allowed to drive a taxi again.
He said in a statement: “Speaking as a father of a daughter and a father and grandfather of three sisters, I am disturbed that the decision I have taken in committee has created a sense of concern or insecurity about the safety of women in the Highlands.
“I would never knowingly play any role in endangering the safety of women and girls and I sincerely do not believe I did so in this case.
“My concern that the safety of women and girls appears to be compromised is too much for my conscience to bear, and that is why I am resigning.”
Macpherson said the case was being discussed privately “to protect the identities of the victims”.
