“Ridiculous” is how Saleem Nawaz described the Traffic Commissioner’s findings when the Telegraph & Argus spoke to him yesterday.

Mr Nawaz gave a robust defence of his company, Oasis Limousines Ltd, insisting it was legitimate and above board.

He also accused the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) of “entrapment”, in reference to a test operation carried out by the agency involving Oasis.

“I have got nothing to hide,” said Mr Nawaz, when the T&A visited his office at Oasis’ headquarters on Thorncliffe Road, near Valley Parade. “We have got nothing to hide.

“There are no illegal activities. Our business is above board and all taxes are paid.”

Adding that he intended to take the matter to a tribunal in London, Mr Nawaz said: “We have appealed this decision. My solicitor is on with it at the moment.

”It is ridiculous.”

He said VOSA’s operation saw them ring the company and book an eight-seater vehicle for eight people. An operator’s licence is needed when transporting nine or more passengers.

“They say they put nine people in the car on the day,” said Mr Nawaz. “It was a set-up. We have been trying to be compliant with the Traffic Commissioner and trying to get a licence off them. They couldn’t find any reason to not grant a licence so they did this.”

Mr Nawaz said he splashed out £15,000 per vehicle for his two 16-seaters to undergo a Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF) test in preparation for receiving an operator’s licence for the vehicles. He added that the Traffic Commissioner still rejected his licence application. Mr Nawaz said he submitted the application over a year ago.

“Where are we going wrong?” said Mr Nawaz. “The only thing letting us down is Bradford Council and the Traffic Commissioner. The Traffic Commissioner clearly has it in for us.

“We are running a legitimate organisation. There are criminals out there on the streets selling drugs, but they get away with it.”

Mr Nawaz insisted his two 16-seater vehicles had not been running illegally.

Mr Nawaz also addressed comments by the Traffic Commissioner about safety standards by saying: “All my drivers are vetted and have background checks. The cars are highly-maintained, taxed and insured. Taxes are paid on earnings and profits.

“We have an on-site mechanic who does weekly checks on our vehicles. They are maintained to the highest standards.”

He added: “When travelling with us you are in safe hands. Rest-assured this thing with the Traffic Commissioner will be cleared up.

“We are a Bradford-based reputable company that has been running in Bradford for years. This is not as illustrated by the Traffic Commissioner.”

The Traffic Commissioner’s report said that, during the hearing, Mr Nawaz had described himself as “not someone of bad character.”

Mr Nawaz also slammed Bradford Council, claiming they don’t licence limousines like other local authorities.

He said: “We want Bradford Council to licence us as all other Councils do, then we wouldn’t have these issues. The Council is letting us down.”

He added: “If I left Bradford and moved to Dewsbury, Cleckheaton, Calderdale or wherever, I could get a licence within minutes. Bradford Council should be helping Bradford-based businesses.

“We have invested so much money into this business. Umpteen finances and loans, we are debted up to our heads. Where do we turn from here? The Traffic Commissioner doesn’t want to know us, Bradford Council doesn’t want to help us progress – where do we go?”

Mr Nawaz said the smaller vehicles – for eight passengers or less – were licensed by the Council.