Police chief's wife in car hire investigation

One of the UK's top counter-terrorism police chiefs' wife found herself at the centre of a car hire investigation recently.

Judith, the wife of Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, came under scrutiny after it emerged her car hire firm, which operates from the couple's home, was offering chauffeuring services and a wedding car facility.

If this was the case then the drivers would be required to obtain a private hire vehicle and operator's license.

The situation - spotted by local council officials - could have created quite a debacle for the high profile police chief.

However, as soon as the issue was raised the car hire firm desisted from offering the services it did not have a license for, thereby solving the problem and enabling Judith and her husband to avoid legal action being taken against them.

Richard Woodward, director of community services at Tandridge District Council, confirmed Judith's car hire company had the all-clear.

He said: "We have held discussions with the owners, who have given assurances they are currently providing a car service for weddings only.

"This type of car service does not require local authority licensing and the company has stopped offering any other services.

"The company is considering what other services it may want to provide in the future, but will discuss these with the council to ensure they comply with all licensing requirements."

The car hire firm has caused controversy on another note recently, after it emerged the company's website listed Mr Quick's home address posing a potential security breach.

Media speculation has noted that Mr Quick of all people should have been aware of the requirements of a car hire firm, in terms of licensing.

The police chief was a constable with Surrey Police for four years between 2004 and 2008. During this period he contributed to a booklet the police force put out explaining the rules affecting private car hire firms.

One extract from the publication reads: "No person shall operate any vehicle as a private-hire vehicle in Tandridge without having a current operator's licence. This (is) in addition to any requirement for a vehicle or driver's licence."

However, without the correct licenses, Judith's car hire firm's website boasted that the company uses "the best examples of Rolls Royce's available for our wedding cars and operate our service in Surrey, Kent, Sussex and London".

Clearly, something had gone awry somewhere. No one from the car hire firm has commented on the issue, which a police spokesperson has confirmed is now cleared up.