An Edinburgh taxi driver who allegedly verbally abused a grieving pensioner in a funeral home after his card reader failed has had his licence suspended for two months.<\/p>\n
Baris Eroglu\u00a0had his licence suspended once before, after allegedly telling a council employee to \u201cwatch [their] f***ing words\u201d.<\/p>\n
This time around, the suspension is on the grounds of public safety,\u00a0 coming after a January incident that saw him allegedly drive dangerously near a cyclist and shout at them.<\/p>\n
According to a report published last month, the cyclist said Mr Eroglu had nearly struck one of the pannier bags on their bike while trying to overtake them in a roundabout.<\/p>\n
Once alongside, they said Mr Eroglu told them \u2018cyclists are not vehicles\u2019, and that they should not use the middle lanes in a roundabout.<\/p>\n
The report says Mr Eroglu disagreed with this interpretation of events, and said that the cyclist had made a racist remark towards him.<\/p>\n
He was given a written warning by council officials, and said he would not cause any more complaints.<\/p>\n
But, in May 2025, the report says he followed a grieving woman in her 70s into a funeral home when she could not pay her fare because his card machine would not work.<\/p>\n
A statement emailed by the passenger to the council said Mr Eroglu had \u2018no people skills\u2019, and claims he subjected her to a \u2018verbal assault\u2019 in the taxi.<\/p>\n
She wrote: \u201cI pointed out that all his abusive behaviour was not going to make cash appear in my purse.\u201d<\/p>\n
At Tuesday\u2019s Licensing Sub-Committee meeting, Mr Eroglu\u2019s solicitor, Jonny Nisbet, said the driver accepted some wrongdoing, but maintained a different view of the January incident.<\/p>\n
He told councillors: \u201cIt is disappointing to be back here again with Mr Eroglu, I\u2019m not going to hide that fact.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has been licensed by this authority for a period in excess of 12 years now. And for most of that period, he\u2019s managed to operate well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Nisbet said Mr Eroglu was still feeling the mental impact of a bad breakup, to which he also credited the taxi driver\u2019s last suspension.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cAt the level of seriousness, there are considerably more serious issues that have come before this committee for drivers who are continuing to drive today.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Mr Nisbet, the taxi driver was subjected to racist remarks by the cyclist at the roundabout, and said it was part of wider racism directed at cabbies who are not white in the city.<\/p>\n
Addressing the May incident at the funeral parlour, Mr Nisbet said his client \u201caccepts that he showed insensitivity and a considerable lack of people skills in relation to this situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cAn elderly lady, going to a funeral home, read the room, quite frankly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Nesbit said Mr Eroglu had booked on to the council\u2019s taxi skills refresher course for a slot in October this year, after the council committee asked him to do so in December last year.<\/p>\n
Conservative councillor and committee convener Joanna Mowat asked: \u201cMr Eroglu was last here in December.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommittee stated that they were going to lift the suspension, but that they wanted him to do the course. Why are we sitting here in September, with the date in October?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would Mr Eroglu show such contempt of committee that he had not taken that course by [the meeting date]?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Nisbett said he understood there was an eight-month waitlist for the course, but was rebuked by licensing officer Catherine Scanlin, who said that was \u2018not true\u2019.<\/p>\n
She said Mr Eroglu had been offered a number of opportunities to apply for the course, and that he was told that he could be worked into any course date he wanted to attend.<\/p>\n
After speaking with his client, Mr Nisbett said that Mr Eroglu was struggling with money, and could not afford the course due to being unable to drive his taxi after the suspension.<\/p>\n
He also said Mr Eroglu disagreed with Ms Scanlin about which course dates he was offered by the council.<\/p>\n
Labour councillor Joan Griffiths said: \u201cHe is back again for another two offences, I would have thought that somebody who was in that position would be ultra cautious and careful in dealing with the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to say, the circumstances of taking an older woman to a funeral parlour, and the way your client spoke to and dealt with,again goes all back to \u2018he\u2019s the victim, the passengers are the one that are causing the problem\u2019, so I have real concerns around that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cllr Mowat said: \u201cI\u2019m struggling to see that this is a fit and proper person to hold a licence, so I will be recommending suspension.\u201d<\/p>\n
She asked the committee if there was any suggestions for a length of time, with Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Ross suggesting two months.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cHe has had eight months in which to demonstrate his contrition, his remorse, his understanding that committee weren\u2019t pleased with his behaviour last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has a duty to his licence and the licensing authority to behave in a professional manner, and that he has been seen to be lacking in two occasions, given the evidence that we have.\u201d<\/p>\n
After discussing which grounds for a suspension were to be used, councillors agreed to suspend his licence for two months.<\/p>\n
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter<\/p>\n