A veteran taxi driver yesterday hit out at Bermuda Taxi Federation chief Joe Brown after he claimed the problem with getting late taxis in St. George's was because "everything closes down at 11.30.'' And the cabbie -- who has 26 years' behind the wheel -- slammed Mr. Brown's comments about the Island's old capital.

The driver, who asked not be named, reacted after Mr. Brown spoke out in the wake of a call for a late-night taxi priority system for women following evidence in the Rebecca Middleton murder trial.

The Supreme Court trial of murder accused Justis Smith heard that Ms Middleton and friend Jasmine Meens tried three times to get a taxi in St. George's Ferry Reach.

The two young women accepted lifts from men on bikes after 45 minutes of waiting for the promised cab .

Ms Meens got home safely -- Ms Middleton was later found lying in the middle of Ferry Reach raped, tortured and knifed to death.

But Mr. Brown said it was unfair to single out the taxi industry -- and added St. George's was dead at night, so cabbies tended to avoid it.

The cabbie said he did not want to get involved in controversy surrounding Ms Middleton's brutal death.

But he added that he knew of many cases where Police at St. George's station helped out young people who had trouble getting cabs at night and allowed them to wait there until taxis arrived.

The cabbie said: "Mr. Brown -- who is a newcomer to the taxi trade -- has done an injustice to the people of St. George's and the club owners down there.'' He pointed out a number of pubs and clubs -- including Freddie's, the White Horse and Chicks -- shut between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.

The driver added: "I've been down there in the early hours of the morning -- 3 to 4 a.m. -- and got the work.'' And he added other drivers who live as far away as Smith's and Devonshire travelled to the town for jobs at night.

The driver said: "It's unfair to make these statements -- to St. George's people and club owners down there.''