The head of a Braintree private hire car firm this week vowed to fight a Braintree Council licensing committee decision to suspend his operator's licence.

Jahangir Ahmed, 44, who heads Direct Line Taxis in Manor Street, also attacked Braintree taxi drivers who, he says, packed the council chamber on Monday night.

Mr Ahmed claims that around 60 drivers watched as he lost his licence. "Judging by the unusually high turnout of my competitors at Monday's meeting and subsequent gestures made to myself and my employees I can only assume they were present to see my demise," he said.

Mr Ahmed added: "I will be defending the allegations brought by the district council against me, which relate to licensing matters, in court.

''After taking legal advice, I may continue to operate as usual.

"I would like to assure everyone I will continue my fight legally, not only for myself, but for all the 43 people who work for me and my customers.

"Obviously I am worried, but I've built up this business from one car and I am not going to stand back and see it go."

This week Mr Ahmed, who has lived in the town for more than 30 years and has run his business since 1991, is taking legal advice before lodging an appeal with Braintree magistrates against the committee's decision.

Councillors agreed to suspend Mr Ahmed's licence until it expires on September 20, although he can continue trading for the 21-day appeal period.

Members were told that on 26 occasions during the past three years the company's vehicles had failed inspections.

During the period of the current licence Mr Ahmed has held 15 private hire vehicle licences for 30 vehicles and three Hackney carriage vehicle licences for five vehicles, each of which must be inspected twice a year.

The report said that Mr Ahmed appears not to have expanded the administration capacity of his business as the number of vehicles increased.

The report added: "The fact that Mr Ahmed appears to be largely dependent on a third party - who does not hold licences from the council - for the supply, and presumably, maintenance of most of his vehicles, could lead to a return to the relatively poor vehicle quality and maintenance should that arrangement cease.

"There is further concern that the above described incidents show either a lack of understanding of the requirements of the licences he holds or a disregard for them and that Mr Ahmed does not show an appropriate concern for public safety."

Steve Peters, chairman of Braintree District Taxi Association, which represents 40 owner drivers, said that around 30 drivers had attended Monday's meeting to hear a decision on new taxi hire charges.

"There was the usual big turnout for the new rate, it's just unfortunate that it was also the night that Mr Ahmed's licence was suspended.

"An awful lot of work has been done by the council and our association to keep standards high and we are pleased to see the council taking action if concerns arise."

Mr Ahmed has applied for planning permission that would allow him to move his business to Lakes industrial estate in Braintree.

Braintree taxi drivers have agreed a special triple time rate to serve the town during millennium celebrations.

The one-off New Year's Eve rate was agreed by councillors at Monday's meeting of Braintree District Council's licensing committee.

Steve Peters, chairman of Braintree District Taxi Association, which represents around 40 owner drivers, said after the meeting:

"We hope this will encourage the public to use taxis during millennium celebrations and entice drivers out on the night."

The committee also agreed an increase in usual taxi fares of 6.29 per cent.

The new rate, which will take an average two-and-a-half mile journey from £1.55 to £1.80, reflects rises in fuel prices.

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