The Socialist Municipal Group of Sant Antoni has denounced the lack of explanations from Mayor Marcos Serra’s government team after a seasonal cab licence was granted to a man with three final convictions for sexual assault, despite the City Council’s own regulations stating that no applicant may have a criminal record.
According to the PSOE, the Council has been aware of the driver’s convictions for months and has nevertheless failed to take steps to withdraw his licence, allowing him to continue working in a public service that involves direct contact with residents and tourists.
Socialist councillor Neus Marí described the situation as “extremely serious”, stating: “It puts at risk the safety and confidence of women in the municipality, as well as all users of the taxi service”.
“The municipal government led by Marcos Serra has been fully aware of the case for some time and has done absolutely nothing, despite this being a flagrant breach of the rules governing the granting of taxi licences”, Marí added.
The councillor considers it “unacceptable” that a person convicted of sexual assault has received a municipal licence, which she believes constitutes “serious institutional negligence and a total lack of sensitivity towards victims of gender violence”.
The Socialist Party is calling on the City Council to review the protocols for the granting and renewal of municipal taxi licences to ensure that no person with a criminal record—particularly for sexual offences—can work in public services.