AN MP is calling for laws to be reviewed to close a loophole that enables taxi drivers who lose their licence to take over the steering wheel of a mini bus without a criminal record check.

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham raised his concerns after a number of cases on Teesside, including incidents involving sexual assault and incidents involving children, were brought to his attention.

Drivers who have had their licence revoked by the local authority for unacceptable behaviour are still able to get a license through DVLA to drive a Public Service Vehicle, including mini buses.

The Local Government Association, whose member councils are responsible for licensing taxi drivers, have expressed their concerns over the threat to public harm by allowing potentially dangerous people to effectively act as a taxi driver but in a different vehicle.

Mr Cunningham, who raised the issue in the Commons, said: “I was first made aware of this loophole by Stockton Borough Council, and it is absurd to me how a local authority can revoke the licence of someone who can then just go down to the DVLA and get an alternative licence that enables them to continue working despite posing a huge threat to vulnerable people.”

Under current laws, drivers of PCVs are licensed by the DVLA but are not subject to a criminal record check.