Boris Johnson Says Banning Cab App Uber In London Would Be Hard | HuffPost

Banning Cab App Uber In London Would Be Hard, Says BoJo

Asa Bennett— The Huffington Post UK

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London Mayor Boris Johnson sits in a black cab at the London Taxi Driver Association (LTDA) in Westbourne Park, London, on May 14, 2008. Newly elected Conservative mayor Boris Johnson visited the association on Wednesday to launch a consultation on the abolition of half-yearly black cab inspections. The current mid-year inspections were launched in October 2007 and were accompanied by a GBP 36 increase in the annual licence fee to cover the costs. AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal (Photo credit should read Le

LEON NEAL via Getty Images

Boris Johnson has warned that it would be "difficult" to ban the controversial cab app Uber, which has angered taxi drivers so much that they last week brought the capital to a standstill.

The London Mayor told reporters that he could understand taxi drivers' concerns, but admitted any attempt to ban Uber would risk a judicial review.

"I think it's a very difficult [question]," he told reporters at the launch of London's Tech Week. "We've gone to the high court to get a ruling on this, and the issue is basically: is the driver's mobile in the cab equivalent to a taxi meter? I can see why m'learned friends might think that it is, because it's receiving data about, or it's calculating, the distance and time and the fare.

"And there are other lawyers who say that it isn't, and that was the advice of the counsel to TfL. And so we've got a legal problem."

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers who went on the protest said the app was leading to unlicensed drivers being contacted, with no checks on whether they are legitimate.

Protesters in Trafalgar Square chanted "Boris, Boris, Boris, out, out, out", while taxi drivers beeped their horns as demonstrators held placards.

Story continues beneath slideshow

Taxi drivers cause travel chaos

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(01 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(02 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: A London taxi's driver attaches a sticker to the back of his cab on The Mall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(03 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: A London taxi driver sits in his cab on The Mall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(04 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(05 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(06 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(07 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: A London taxi driver waves a replica World Cup out of his cab during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(08 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: London taxi's line up on The Mall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(09 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: A London taxi driver waves a replica World Cup out of his cab during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(10 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(11 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: A London taxi's line up on The Mall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(12 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(13 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: London taxis line up on The Mall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(14 of36)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: London taxi's line up on Whitehall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(15 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest in central London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(16 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest on The Mall, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(17 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest on The Mall, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(18 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest in central London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(19 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest on The Mall, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(20 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest on The Mall, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(21 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(22 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(23 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(24 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(25 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(26 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(27 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(28 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(29 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(30 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(31 of36)

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest in central London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(32 of36)

The Uber app being used on an Apple iPhone 5, as a row has flared over the introduction of the app which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(33 of36)

The Uber app being used on an Apple iPhone 5, as a row has flared over the introduction of the app which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(34 of36)

The Uber app being used on an Apple iPhone 5, as a row has flared over the introduction of the app which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(35 of36)

The Uber app being used on an Apple iPhone 5, as a row has flared over the introduction of the app which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(36 of36)

The Uber app being used on an Apple iPhone 5, as a row has flared over the introduction of the app which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

Organisations including the Rail and Maritime Transport union (RMT), London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) and Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) are all represented at the ongoing protest.

Derrick Hoare, of the LTDA, said they wanted to highlight the length of training - between four and seven years - taxi drivers undergo before being licensed.

See also:
What Is Uber? And Why Do London Cabbies Hate It?
London Taxi War: Black Cab Protest Against Uber App Set To Put Capital In Lockdown

The protest against Uber backfired as the cab app enjoyed an 850% surge in downloads due to the resulting publicity. Skills Minister Matt Hancock, who is close to George Osborne, mockingly tweeted: "Does anyone have details of this #Uber app everyone's talking about? It sounds awesome. I'd never heard of it until today.."

The cabbies earned unlikely support in the form of controversial TV personality Katie Hopkins, who said: "Uber is not efficient. Surge pricing multiplies costs by 7.75%. Take away the sat nav and you have an idiot behind a wheel.

"Black Cabs are the capitals 2nd police force. If ever I am in trouble, it is a black cabbie that saves the day."

On the Blog: Charlie Mullins - Taxi Gridlock Action Is Urban Terrorism
On the Blog: Simon Walker - Black Cabs Cannot Stand in the Way of Innovation

6 Facts About Uber

6 Facts About Uber(01 of06)

Wouldn't it be nice to push a button on your smartphone and have a Mercedes S-Class show up? That's exactly what the founders of the service thought before launching it in San Francisco in 2010. (credit:Uber)

Cashless(02 of06)

The service is cashless. A fare is automatically charged to the credit card on file and a receipt is e-mailed. (credit:Uber)

Split Your Fare(03 of06)

Sharing the ride with friends? Uber will split the bill and charge separate credit cards. "No more pay-me-backs or IOUs," says the website. (credit:Uber)

Options(04 of06)

Uber lets customers pick a ride that matches their "style and budget." Options range from a low-cost service called uberX to a luxury service called UberLux. Options vary between cities. (credit:Getty Images)

Reviews(05 of06)

Riders can rate their experience after a trip and leave additional feedback about the driver. (credit:Getty Images)

Investors(06 of06)

Investors on the company include Goldman Sachs, Google Ventures and First Round Capital. (credit:Getty Images)

Meanwhile, research to mark the start of London Tech Week suggested that the capital's tech economy could grow by £12 billion over the next decade, creating 46,000 new jobs.

The capital's digital economy will grow by 5.1% per year over the next 10 years, according to Oxford Economics.

Johnson said: "Tech Week is a superb opportunity to hail the success of London's tech sector, which despite only being in adolescence already makes a tremendous contribution to our economy and is outperforming our rivals around the globe.

"The tentacles of our digital army now spread to every corner of the capital and far beyond. We forecast that they will generate a whopping £12 billion of economic activity and 46,000 new jobs in the capital over the next decade."

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