Taxi operators believe Government will "throw the book" at any driver who has complaints lodged against them because of their opposition to recent failed legislation aimed at modernising the industry.

They were responding to news that taxi operator Dwayne Weeks had his license terminated after a Reserve Police officer complained he shouted offensive words at him and his mother.

But yesterday, Mr. Weeks denied the allegation and said he has launched legal action in an effort to clear his name.

He said he believed that Police had been out to get him for months, were intimidated by him because he has a black belt in martial arts and also that Government wanted to make an example out of him.

Government's Public Service Vehicle Licensing (PSVL) Board terminated Mr. Weeks' license after Reserve Police Sgt. Dexter Eugene Flood complained to the Transport Control Department following an incident on May 27.

Bermuda Taxi Operators Association chairman Lee Tucker declined to comment on the case because it is being appealed in Magistrates' Court but said: "We don't condone any wrongdoing by taxi drivers or by the public. But I do think that the Government will be keeping a very close eye on us. Taxi drivers should try and comply with the law."

But three members of the taxi industry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they believed any infractions by taxi drivers would be severely punished because of the defeat of the GPS system.

The Royal Gazette obtained a copy of Sgt. Flood's letter of complaint, in which he described how he was trying to park his car with his mother on Church Street when Mr. Weeks, who was standing in the space, accused him of not be careful enough.

When Sgt. Flood asked him if he had a problem, he said, Mr. Weeks replied: "Who the f*** are you talking to, you don't know who ya f*****g talking to, f*** off."

The Reserve Policeman said his mother was also shouted at offensively when she started to write down Mr. Weeks' licence number.

"What the f*** you looking at? Yeah, take my number," the taxi driver was alleged to have said.

Sgt. Flood said: "At a time when taxi drivers are trying to gain public support for their various projects, I find it very hard to understand how someone so arrogant could slip through the cracks, and be allowed to subject members of the public to his deplorable behaviour.

He said he had observed Mr. Weeks in the course of his job both during his four years as a regular Police officer and during his time with the reserves.

"My previous observations show that this is not the first time he has displayed such behaviour and I'm almost certain that it will not be the last. Perhaps a short suspension of Mr. Weeks' public service licence might change his attitude towards the very members of the public he has chosen to serve."

Sgt. Flood continued: "It is my intention to see that no other member of the public, especially my mother, every encounter him or his vehicle in the future in this manner. He is not fit to be labelled an ambassador of Bermuda."

Yesterday, Mr. Weeks called the accusations "ludicrous" and "totally outlandish".

He said: "First may I state in my defence that I have never and will never jeopardise my well being, my family's or any individual's. (Sgt. Flood) has fabricated those words and the Board believed him. If they are so certain then why haven't they charged me with anything?"

He maintained that Sgt. Flood had almost run him over and that, while he may have uttered a curse or two, he was perfectly entitled to because he was angry.

"This is a private matter between him and me. He wasn't a passenger. I've been driving for 12 years. I've never put my hands on anyone."

Mr. Weeks, who has a black belt in karate, said he believed Sgt. Flood was jealous of him and also that he felt intimidated by him.

He said, while he has appealed against the board's decision, he has not been contacted yet to be informed of any date on which his case might be heard in Magistrates' Court.

"I know they are coming down on me so hard because of the failure of the GPS bill," he said.

Mr. Weeks also pointed to other cases in which taxi drivers had been convicted for possession of illegal substances and even reckless driving but who had not had their licences revoked.

"I'm sure even Ray Charles can see this unjust and blatant discrimination," he said.