A council instructed a taxi firm to remove Remembrance poppies and 'Lest We Forget' signs from its vehicles following a single complaint. Neil McLennan, who runs iCars on the Isle of Sheppey, in Kent, placed the memorial emblems on his 11-strong fleet two years ago to pay tribute to veterans.
Council policy cited in removal order
After a complaint to Swale Borough Council (SBC), Neil was contacted by an officer and told to remove them under a policy forbidding advertising and football stickers. According to the council policy, no signs "other than those specifically approved by the Council" are permitted to be displayed on the vehicle – with "radio stickers, football sticks or any other signs" expressly banned.
After taking down the symbols "under duress", Neil says he has since received backing from furious customers and residents. The 55 year old said: "I've got a lot of friends and family that have been in different wars and have served."
Owner's personal tribute to veterans
"Probably the biggest thing for me was back in the late '80s – my wife and I were both at a Rotaracts conference and Simon Weston was there. In the Falklands War he was quite badly burnt, he had massive, massive burns all over him. He's been my inspiration through life, really."
"We need to support these veterans that do so much for us. Without them we wouldn't be the country we are, we wouldn't be the world we are. We've got people out in Ukraine at the moment fighting for their freedom from the Russian oppression, it's crazy. If we can't say that we respect what you guys are doing for us and looking after our sanity, security, and safety, then where do we go?"
The taxi driver of 20 years reveals that SBC has agreed to arrange a meeting later this year to revisit the policy – though he insists it does little to address the immediate situation. He believes firms ought to be permitted to display support for causes close to their hearts on their vehicles.
MP backs firm amid council review
Neil added: "People that support gay pride and stuff – if that's a strong belief you have, what's the problem with saying 'I put my hand up for these guys'. Why can't we support them? Why can't we show our allegiance? We should be able to show our allegiance to these causes."
Local Labour MP Kevin McKenna urged the council to adopt a different stance, writing on Facebook: "iCars do incredible work for the island, providing an important and reliable taxi service for everyone, while also offering an invaluable service to people with disabilities. They do not deserve to be penalised in this way, and I'll be doing everything I can to help find a fair resolution."
SBC said: "Our licencing team has been allowing the use of the poppy and the Royal British Legion sticker on iCars' taxis. However, following a complaint, we checked the use against our policy, and it is not permitted under our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. The policy was most recently updated and agreed in 2025 by our Licensing Committee and Policy and Resources Committee, following a public consultation which included feedback from the taxi industry."
"The issue is not about the poppy or the Royal British Legion, which the council supports, but the fact that we received a complaint that the vehicle was not complying with our policy. We are aware that iCars has removed the sticker and poppy and we are scheduling a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting to discuss iCars' request for an exemption from the policy. The next Licensing Committee meeting will look at the policy to make sure that there is clarity on this issue."
