Uber drivers in Kent are under threat after Transport for London said it would revoke the company’s licence to operate cabs by the end of the month.

The company, which employs about 40,000 drivers in the capital, was told it was “not fit and proper” to hold a licence because of a failure to address a number of issues.

People who drive for the company in Kent have been dragged into the furore because most of them hold licences issued by Transport for London and not by Kent’s district councils, who issue licences for other cab firms.

Transport for London said public safety was at risk because of Uber’s approach to reporting serious criminal offences, failing to check drivers’ criminal records and using software which stops regulatory bodies accessing the app.

The authority said Uber London Limited would not have its licence renewed when it expires on September 30.

Well-established case law states someone can run a cab anywhere in the UK so long as they are a licenced private hire driver, driving a licenced vehicle under a licenced operator.

Uber does not hold an operator licence with any of the district councils in Kent who have so far responded to requests from KentOnline.

However, Uber drivers are able to operate legally in the county using the licence issued by Transport for London, which is now set to be revoked.

Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber in London said the 3.5 million Londoners who use the app will be “astounded” by the decision.

He added: “By wanting to ban our app from the capital, Transport for London and the mayor have caved in to a small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice.

“If this decision stands, it will put more than 40,000 licenced drivers out of work and deprive Londoners of a convenient and affordable form of transport.”

“If this decision stands, it will put more than 40,000 licenced drivers out of work and deprive Londoners of a convenient and affordable form of transport...” - Tom Elvidge, Uber

He said the company would appeal the decision in the courts “to defend the livelihoods of all those drivers and the consumer choice of millions of Londoners”.

He added: “Uber operates in more than 600 cities around the world, including more than 40 towns and cities here in the UK.

“This ban would show the world that, far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies who bring choice to consumers.”