A decision to grant a new licence to Uber to operate in London has incensed Medway cabbies.

The ride-hailing company was denied a licence by Transport for London (TfL) last November amid concerns for passenger safety and issues with transparency.

Phil Welbrook from KMTV reports

But the company launched an appeal and after a three-day hearing, a judge ruled this morning the firm was "fit and proper" to work in the capital, despite "historical failings".

The app-driven service currently plies its trade in Medway, Gravesend and Dartford under its licence in London.

Taxi drivers in the county have launched a fierce campaign to get it banned with the unanimous backing of Medway councillors.

Reacting to the announcement, Mike Smith - chairman of Medway Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association - said: "This is absolutely horrendous.

"The evidence was stacked up against them, but they just seem to get away with getting what they want.

"We pay our dues, stick to the legislation set out by the council and do our 'knowledge'.

"They do nothing, they don't know the area and don't live here. Our drivers have said there about 700 of them who operate here.

"Our priority has always been the safety of passengers."

Mr Smith, whose association has about 350 members, is calling for an urgent meeting with the council to see what action is open to challenge the decision.

He said: "They say it's an extension of the licence for 18 months, but it might as well be 18 years.

"I can 't say too much at the moment but we are not going to take this sitting down."

Deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram ruled in favour of Uber.

He said: "Despite their historical failings, I find them now, to be a fit and proper person to hold a London (Private Hire Vehicle) operator's licence.

"Uber has presented no real challenge to the acts presented by TfL though has challenged the suggestion that breaches were not taken seriously and any suggestion of bad faith on their part.

"Their approach has really been to explain why events took place as they did."

'We pay our dues, stick to the legislation set out by the council and do our 'knowledge'...'

Judge Ikram discussed issues of document and insurance fraud which had been raised, acknowledging Uber had tightened up its review processes.

He will now hear applications on the length of the new licence as well as what conditions should be imposed.

He was not asked to rule on whether TfL's decision was correct, but whether Uber was suitable for the licence.

Many of the arguments heard in court focused on a vulnerability in Uber's systems which allowed unauthorised people to upload their photographs to legitimate driver accounts, enabling them to pick up passengers.

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