COUNCIL BOSS SAYS TAXI FIRM IS CLEAN; MORE NEWS FROM AROUND SCOTLAND Crime clan links rubbished.

Byline: By FIONA YOUNG

A COUNCIL chief has defended his work for a taxi company after it was taken over by the boss of a firm linked to a gangland family.

Steve Cardownie, deputy leader of Edinburgh City Council, insisted his new bosses at Festival Cars, the capital's biggest private hire firm, are "legitimate".

Four weeks ago we revealed Festival had been taken over by Allan Gibson, director of Glasgow's Network Private Hire, which has links to the McGovern crime clan.

In 2004 Network were raided in Operation Maple, Scotland's biggest money laundering crackdown.

Police also searched a petrol station belonging to McGovern lieutenant Russell Stirton and his pounds 500,000 home.

SNP councillor Cardownie, a member of the council's police board, owns a Skoda Octavia at Festival and employs two drivers to run it for him.

Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill has met police, licensing officials and other cab firm owners to discuss fears that Glasgow criminals are trying to buy into the capital.

Last night Cardownie, 54, said: "I have had the taxi for a year. Since then Festival has changed hands twice.

"As far as I'm aware these are bona fide businessmen. People with a criminal record cannot get a taxi permit or licence in this city.

"I'm happy to stay at Festival."

Gibson became a director of Festival in May and visits their HQ in Broompark Business Park, Granton, every day.

He has been on the board of Network for eight years.

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Fare play: Cardownie