Taxi licensing investigation and recommendations

Six recommendations relating to an investigation around taxi licensing were noted and endorsed by the council’s governance and audit committee on Wednesday 17 June.

An investigation into the details surrounding Diwan Khan’s taxi licensing was carried out by internal auditors this spring. It follows a request made by Cllr Helen Purnell, leader of the council, in March.  

Khan, who was mayoral consort from May 2023 to January 2024, was convicted of rape at Winchester Crown Court in February 2026. He held a taxi licence from January 2021 to January 2024. 

The investigation looked at: 

• the timeline and processing of Khan’s licence
• if policies were followed
• whether there were warnings raised by external agencies, and if these were acted on
• the timeline and details of Khan’s taxi licence suspension
• Khan’s resignation as mayoral consort
• previous licensing reviews and if actions had been implemented 

The review found that most policies were followed and there was no evidence of concerns reported to the council or Public Protection Partnership (PPP)* until Khan was arrested on a different offence in January 2024, when his licence was immediately revoked. 

However, it also found that there was no evidence that Khan’s DBS certificate had been seen prior to his licence being issued. If it had been seen, then it is unlikely he would have met the criteria for a licence. 

Cllr Helen Purnell, leader of the council, said: 

“The investigation into the circumstances around Diwan Khan’s taxi licence and the subsequent actions following his arrest in January 2024, was instigated to provide clarity and transparency. It was also requested so that we have a firm understanding of where we need to put tighter controls and policies in place to protect residents and visitors from harm. 

“I am disappointed and saddened to see there is no evidence that Khan’s DBS was checked prior to his licence being issued. If it had been checked then it is likely he would not have been given a licence.  

“My heartfelt support goes out to the young girl whose life has been undoubtedly changed by his heinous and despicable crime. She is at the very centre of my thoughts and sympathies in this case. 

“Sadly, I cannot change the outcome for this brave young girl, but I can promise to put things in place to protect women and girls in future.

“This includes a women and girls’ safety charter, which pledges to make public spaces safer by encouraging organisations and businesses to actively prevent harm and respond effectively to violence and abuse.

“We will also make changes and improvements to our licensing shared service through the recommendations that have come out of this investigation and other audits.

“I am sorry that Diwan Khan was appointed as mayoral consort and that he was not DBS checked when he took up the role. There was no official requirement for councillors or consorts to be checked at that time, or indeed prior to that. We have, however, introduced a mandatory DBS check for all councillors and the mayoral consort. This came into effect in October 2024 and should help provide a safeguard for all serving and future councillors and consorts.”  

Six recommendations were agreed by the governance and audit committee. They include: 

• a full audit of licensing to ensure that recommendations from the investigation have been put in place and are working
• developing a protocol so that it is clear when the outcomes of investigations will be reported to relevant councillors and staff
• when an investigation relating to a shared service is carried out, the lead council/ organisation and senior Bracknell Forest Council staff should ensure investigation reports are finalised, action plans are produced and are effectively monitored
• considering if the council’s section 151 officer and head of internal audit should be informed of risks, issues and non-compliance relating to investigations
• prioritising recommendations relating to the education and transport fleet audit  
• considering if the council should make further representations to the government on cross borough taxi licensing

More information

*Bracknell Forest’s licensing is carried out by the Public Protection Partnership (a shared service with West Berkshire Council).

Diwan Khan, 41, of Bracknell, was found guilty of rape at Winchester Crown Court on 11 February 2026.  

Khan was mayoral consort for the May 2023 to May 2024 mayoral term. Our records show that he conducted no civic functions or engagements in 2024.

Khan was sentenced on 30 April 2026 at Winchester Crown Court.

Khan held a hackney carriage and private hire driver licence, which was issued by the council in January 2021. This was revoked by the council on 11 January 2024 under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. He did not appeal the council’s decision, and the revocation remains in place.

A formal request to investigate the licensing of Khan and the timeline of the case was made by Cllr Helen Purnell when she became acting leader in March 2026.  

Support and advice

You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences to Thames Valley Police. Full information of how to report these crimes can be found on the police website.

Information about support available following sexual assault or rape is also available on the Thames Valley Police website, including details on how to access sexual assault referral centres.