A taxi driver who delayed contacting the authorities for 50 minutes after dropping off the Southport killer has been stripped of his taxi license. Gary Poland drove Axel Rudakubana to Hart Space in Southport on July 29, 2024, before the tragic knife attack that claimed the lives of three young children and injured several others. The Southport Inquiry concluded that the tragic incident could have been prevented if appropriate actions were taken by the relevant agencies.

During the inquiry, it was revealed that Mr. Poland left the scene after hearing screams and witnessing children running away due to what he thought were gunshots. Instead of immediately alerting the police, he made two phone calls to a friend before picking up another fare. He later contacted the authorities to provide information about the attacker.

Following a review of his fitness to hold a taxi license, Mr. Poland no longer holds a taxi driver license as he did not meet the required standards. Despite his unsuccessful appeal, the decision was made by Sefton Council after considering all relevant information.

The Southport Inquiry highlighted significant failings in public services leading up to the tragic events. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged these failures and emphasized the importance of addressing the recommendations to ensure public safety. The Department for Transport plans to implement new regulations requiring taxi drivers to promptly report serious crimes witnessed while working by late 2027.

The inquiry is set to resume next week for a preliminary hearing before the second phase begins in September.