Violent past of doorman raises questions about SIA checks

A door steward whose violent past surfaced when he tried to gain a taxi licence has fuelled concerns about Security Industry Authority (SIA) scrutiny checks.

The city council knocked back the East European man's bid to gain a taxi licence after details came to light of offences committed in the late 90's including assault, robbery and theft.

He has since left his job at Up Front Security, and no longer works as steward at city venue Sea and Crystal Lounge, run by Premium Bars and Restaurants.

The firm's regional chief, Kevin Allcock, said he was shocked by the disclosure, but the company declined to comment further.

It's understood the man, from Bosnia, retains his SIA badge and could operate legally as a steward elsewhere.

He reportedly escaped a jail sentence in 1998 after a sheriff heard he had been badly affected by the Balkan conflict, and was given probation and a community service order.

Eddie Tobin, chairman of the Scottish Late Night Operators Association, said the case raised questions about the SIA's ability to guarantee that all legally badged stewards are fit for purpose.

"There is no disclosure reason why this man's past shouldn't have come to light," he said.

"And when you think of the 5,000 stewards going through London it's more than just a Scottish problem - the SIA evidently needs to do some housekeeping admin."

Glasgow City Council's licensing committee decided a police account of the man's past record meant he wasn't suitable to qualify as a taxi driver.

It wasn't prepared to take his SIA badge as evidence of good character.

Committee convener Councillor John McKenzie said the SIA checks seemed more relaxed than local authority procedures.

An SIA spokeswoman told The Publican​: "Our criminality criteria is clear, published and applies equally to everyone. We cannot take into account rumour and hearsay about an applicant's past. However, we can and do consider non-conviction information passed to us by our enforcement partners - there are clear and established channels for doing this."

She said the SIA was satisfied the checks in place were satisfactory.