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South Eastern and Metropolitan traffic commissioner Christopher Heaps has called for new measures to make O-licence applicants prove their identity. Heaps says that according to his recent experiences, TCs can no longer assume that applications have been completed with the honesty and trust on which the O-licensing system has historically operated. Referring to the submission of false bank statements and false CPC certificates in a number of recent cases, Heaps said he suspected that some named  applicants might not even exist.  Heaps suggests that applicants should in future be made to provide:

• An independently certified copy of their passport or driving licence.
• A letter from applicants authorising their bank to confirm any financial evidence supporting the application.
• A copy of any relevant lease or tenancy agreement to confirm consent for use of the property in question as an operating centre.

He has invited comments and further suggestions from the industry. Heaps' call was made as he refused an application by McKinney & Son for nine vehicles. McKinney & Son's application had originally been signed by former sole director, Aiden Kelly, and an interim licence had been issued. An objection was raised by the Metropolitan police on the basis of Kelly having a criminal record and a possible association between the firm and Thomas McKinney - whose licence had previously been revoked for both failure to declare convictions and the  provision of false bank statements and a false CPC certificate, and who had subsequently been disqualified.

A search had revealed McKinney was the company's sole shareholder until he resigned the day before the date of the licence application. Heaps revoked the interim licence and adjourned the hearing when transport consultant Rory Cropper said Kelly had been replaced by Keirin Murphy. Cropper admitted he had met neither Kelly nor Murphy. The TC said in the resumed hearing that he had received a fax on behalf of Murphy seeking to withdraw the licence application. A fax sent the next day said that Murphy had resigned.