THE director of an Edinburgh-based chauffeur company who was stripped of his operator's licence for "illegally providing transport" to corporate clients is appealing the decision.

Graham Pender, who owns Chauffeurline Coaches Ltd and Chauffeurline (UK) Ltd, was disqualified from holding an operator's licence for three years after the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, Joan Aitken, ruled that he had run Chauffeurline (UK) Ltd without a valid operator's licence since November 2014.

Ms Aitken said Mr Pender "is someone who cannot be trusted with the fundamentals of public service vehicle operator licensing".

She also revoked the licence held by Chauffeurline Coaches Ltd, previously known as Cramond Coaches, and refused a licence application by Chauffeurline (UK) Ltd.

George Devine, customer services manager for Chauffeurline (UK) Ltd, conceded that the company had made an "error" but stressed that the condition of the vehicles and qualifications of their driving staff were never in question.

He said the business would continue as normal.

Mr Devine added: "We are disappointed that the Traffic Commissioner has felt it necessary to revoke the licenses we held, that is her prerogative and we accept it. We will review her decision and decide on our next course of action."