Councillor Chris Birt has been suspended from the SNP group pending disciplinary action over his role in allowing a convicted rapist to retain a taxi operator licence, it is understood.
The Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh councillor was one of just two members who have not resigned from the licensing committee over continuing David Brown’s licence.
Brown was convicted of raping a teenage passenger back in 2023 but was permitted to keep his operator licence last month so his wife could continue working.
The public were furious the decision was taken by six male councillors including Cllr Birt, John Grafton, Sean Kennedy, Willie Mackay, Duncan Macpherson and Ruraidh Stewart.
While Cllrs Jackie Hendry, Lyndsey Johnston, Emma Knox and Kate MacLean all voted against the move.
Cllr Birt argued that Brown’s operator’s licence posed “no risk to the public” and won’t be valid when David Brown is released.
He said the way he voted had “nothing really to do with the convicted criminal but to protect his wife” who he claimed was “continuing to earn her living and to support herself as a taxi driver.
“We did not feel, I did not feel and colleagues also did not feel that she should be punished as well by having her means of support removed.”
Since then Cllrs Grafton, Kennedy, and Macpherson resigned from the committee, and then, Cllr Mackay resigned his seat on the council.
Subsequently, the LibDems expelled Cllr Grafton from their group – a move that ramped up pressure on other political groups in the council to take action.
The Conservatives, it is understood are standing by Cllr Stewart while Cllr Kennedy has already resigned from the Highland Independents leaving just the SNP.
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