EXCLUSIVE Cab company chief linked to crime clan is new boss of taxi giant
THE director of a taxi firm linked to a crime clan has taken over one of Scotland's biggest private cab companies.
Allan Gibson, 46, became managing director of Festival City Cars in Edinburgh five weeks ago.
He has been on the board of controversial Network Private Hire, based in Springburn, Glasgow, for the past eight years.
The firm are linked to the city's notorious McGovern family, who have a multi-million pound criminal empire.
They were raided in 2004 as part of Operation Maple - Scotland's biggest ever probe into money laundering.
Police also searched a petrol station belonging to McGovern lieutenant Russell Stirton and his £500,000 home.
Gibson became a director of Festival City Cars Ltd on May 29. He has been paying almost daily visits to the firm's HQ in Broompark Business Park, Granton, Edinburgh.
Festival, who have more than 200 private cars, have had two owners since their founder, Ian Brown, sold his stake in 2006.
One was a consortium headed by Edinburgh sex shop boss Vincent Delicato.
Last week, another well-known west coast taxi boss, Stevie Malcolm, 43, was spotted arriving at Festival's offices.
Malcolm - who ran the Tan Ko sunbed salon chain - has also made millions from the private hire industry.
He bought Mac Cars from the wife of millionaire gangster Tam "The Licensee" McGraw.
Last night, a source at Festival City Cars said: "Gibson has been quite hands-on. He is here every day from 7am until late at night.
"Stevie has been in several times for meetings."
A senior police source said: "Network Private Hire has attracted police attention before and we are aware of the changes at Festival.
"It is a situation which is being monitored very closely."
Gibson and Malcolm also became directors of a firm called Edinburgh City Private Hire on May 4.
Malcolm also holds directorships with Glasgow Private Hire, Paisley Private Hire and Lanarkshire Private Hire.
1st July 2007 Sunday mail
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