Exclusive interview: Drew Millar
Skye SNP councillor Drew Millar has spoken publicly for the first time about his role in the taxi licensing scandal.
He spoke exclusively to Radio Skye. It comes after five Highland councillors were told they will face motions of no confidence for voting to take no action against rapist David Brown’s taxi operator licences. The move was announced at a special meeting of Highland Council on Tuesday.
Councillor Millar was a member of the Licensing Committee when it considered Brown’s licence in January 2024, a month after he committed his crime. Mr Millar voted against suspending Brown’s operator’s licence at that time, but was no longer on the committee for the vote in June this year.
David Brown, from Croy, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison in May after being convicted of raping an 18-year-old woman in December 2023.
He was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh in April and sentenced at the High Court in Stirling a month later.
The court heard Brown picked up the woman in Inverness after a night out and drove past her intended destination before taking her to a remote location between Strathpeffer and Dingwall.
The victim said Brown had agreed to take her home despite her not having enough money for the fare.
He pulled into a lay-by near a farm, where he attacked her.
Police were later able to establish the route Brown had taken using the tracker system fitted to his taxi.
You can listen to the full interview with Drew Millar below.
]]>Skye councillor hits back at claims local authority is at fault for Portree public toilet closure
A local councillor has responded to criticism of Highland Council following a story published by Radio Skye about the continued closure of the public toilets in Portree.
“If you are one of those keyboard warriors out there for once try to write a fact rather than just make something up.”
In a Facebook post, Councillor Drew Millar said the local authority carried out repairs shortly after the incident that led to the facility shutting in December, and insisted the ongoing delay is down to the electricity supplier responsible for installing a new meter.
The toilets have been closed since a water leak left the building without power at the end of last year.
Mr Millar said work was completed within a week of the leak by council contractors.
However, he claimed the electrical supply company has missed several scheduled appointments and has not provided a date for the work to be completed, despite what he described as continued pressure from the council.
Councillor Drew Millar
He also criticised what he described as inaccurate claims online following Radio Skye’s report, urging people to check the facts before blaming the local authority for the continued closure.
Writing on Facebook, he said:
“Despite continuing pressure from Council the company are still unwilling to supply a date when they will fit the new meter. As I am writing this I am hoping for a latest update. So please if you are one of those key board warriors out there for once try to write a fact rather than just make something up.”
The original story featured concerns from Portree business Siaway, who said visitors are regularly asking to use their facilities.
Highland Council says public toilets are not a statutory responsibility for local authorities.
Drew Millar’s Facebook post in full:
“It seems this is another stick to beat the Council with when the blame quite clearly is with the supplier, or in this case the non supplier, of the electricity meter.
Following the water damage at the end of last year all remedial works were carried out by local contractors with the installation of a new meter the final component needed to finish the job.
Despite continuing pressure from Council the company are still unwilling to supply a date when they will fit the new meter. As I am writing this I am hoping for a latest update. So please if you are one of those key board warriors out there for once try to write a fact rather than just make something up.
FACT : Highland Council carried out the necessary repairs, within one week following the water leak back in December 2025, since then we have been waiting for the electrical supply company to attend and replace the electric meter, they have failed to show up to at least four appointments and we are continuing to chase them.”
]]>A Highland councillor has resigned from a key planning role after being told his comments about wind farms on Skye could be seen as bias.
Drew Millar stepped down as chairman of Highland Council’s North Planning Applications Committee following advice that he may have pre-judged renewable energy applications.
He said “there was no need for any more wind farms on Skye” during discussions on a project proposed for a site in his ward at a meeting in January.
Speaking to Radio Skye after his resignation, he said the move had not been entirely his own choice. “The decision wasn’t solely mine.”
He linked the situation to a discussion on plans for a wind farm at Balmeanach in the North West of the island, explaining: “We had a discussion about an application for a wind farm at Balmeanach in Skye a couple of months ago. I moved that we refuse the application.”
The proposal from developers Wind2 is for nine turbines to be erected near Edinbane with a maximum height of 150m (492ft). Councillors rejected the application at the meeting in January.
Council officials had recommended approval.
Millar said his comments during that meeting were later challenged. “Basically, I said that I didn’t see there was any reason for the wind farm on Skye. We are producing far more electricity than we needed in Skye, but also the whole Highlands of Scotland.”
At the time Wind2 said it was disappointed by the decision.
Proposed site for the Balmeanach wind farm
Planning committees make decisions on major applications, including energy infrastructure, in a quasi-judicial role.
That means councillors must avoid any perception they have already made up their minds before hearing all the evidence.
Millar added that legal advice suggested his remarks could be seen as bias: “The legal advice from the Highland Council was that people would have a perception that I was against wind farms and that I should really consider my position.”
Despite this, he maintains he did not pre-judge the application and pointed to his track record. “I still think that legal were wrong and that my voting record on any green energy applications in the last four years has usually gone with the officers’ recommendations.”
Ultimately, he said he stepped aside to avoid undermining the committee. “I decided that to protect the integrity of the committee, and the decision making process, it would be the best option for me to do that.”
He was critical of how wind farm developments are delivered, arguing: “The only people that are getting benefit out of more wind farms are the financiers who will take billions out of our island and hand back a few pennies.”
While he stressed he is not opposed to renewable energy in principle, he suggested a different approach. “If they want to build wind farms, build them offshore where it doesn’t affect the beauty of the island.”
Councillor Drew Millar
He also raised environmental concerns about the Balmeanach proposal, saying: “It’s about the environmental damage. Over the forty years, they reckon there would be over thirty white-tailed eagles killed and there would be some damage done to the golden eagle population too.”
On infrastructure, Millar argued that energy production is outpacing capacity. “They’re producing so much electricity that they’re having to pay people not to produce it.”
He added: “We know there’s a need for electricity, but the end result is that we’re producing far more than Scotland will ever need and we’re paying the highest prices for electricity. Something is wrong there.”
Looking ahead, he called for a pause in further developments. “Why don’t we look at a moratorium to say, ‘stop’? Let’s get the infrastructure in place first.”
Millar also suggested the wider planning system is under strain. “Highland Council planning service is swamped with applications of all sizes for green energy. It seems to be out of control.”
He said he may yet challenge the legal advice that led to his resignation, adding he had received a differing opinion from his own legal counsel.
Finally, reflecting on the wider atmosphere around planning decisions, he described increasing pressure on members. “A lot of councillors are quite concerned about the way things are going. They feel quite nervous when they’re being accused, shouted at, ridiculed and attacked on social media, as well as in public meetings.”
But he said criticism did not affect him personally: “It doesn’t worry me. I couldn’t care less. They can say what they like about me.”
Highland Council said councillors are required to follow strict rules when taking part in planning decisions.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “Councillors have agreed to abide by the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.
“Section 7 of the Guidance on the Code sets out in detail the expectations and obligations upon elected members when participating in quasi-judicial decision making such as planning applications.”
They pointed to national guidance which states: “The Key Principles set out at Section 2 of the Code, in particular Integrity, Objectivity, and Openness, are of particular importance where you are taking decisions on quasi-judicial or regulatory matters.
“The decisions you take will often have a significant impact on the applicant and others.”
The statement added that such decisions are often subject to scrutiny and potential legal challenge.
Quoting further guidance, the spokesperson said: “When making quasi-judicial or regulatory decisions, you must do so objectively and with an open mind. Your decision should be made in accordance with the law, your Council’s policies and should be based solely on the merits of the case.”
They added: “While officers may offer advice, adherence with the Code is entirely the personal responsibility of the member.”
You can listen to the full interview with Drew Millar below.
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