London regulator firm on its Uber ban

London, Oct. 12: London mayor Sadiq Khan said on Thursday that the city’s transport regulator will defend its decision in court not to renew Uber’s licence tooperate in the British capital.

Uber has until Friday to submit its appeal and can continue to operate until the appeal process has been exhausted, which could take several months. “The courts now will consider theappeal from Uber and of course TfL (Transport for London) willdefend the decision they made,” Mr Khan said during a monthly question time session.

Uber was stripped of its London licence in a surprise move that dealt a serious blow to one of Silicon Valley’s fastest rising companies. The firm’s application for a new licence in London was rejected by TfL on the basis that the company is not a "fit and proper" private car hire operator. Employment rights campaigners said TfL’s decision was a warning shot to so-called gig economy companies, and delivery firms who argue their drivers and riders are self-employed.

— Reuters