Taxi company Uber will not have their licence renewed by Transport for London, it has been revealed.

The US-based company has been told their taxi-hailing app had demonstrated "a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications".

The withdrawal comes into effect on September 30th, after the expiry of Uber's current licence.

TfL said its regulation of London's taxi and private hire trades was designed to ensure passenger safety and operators must meet rigorous regulations before they are allowed to operate.

"TfL has concluded that Uber London Limited is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence," they said in a statement.

Among the issues that TfL claim had potential safety and security implications included Uber's approach to reporting serious criminal offences and how medical certificates were obtained.

A further issue was its approach to explaining the use of Greyball in London - software that could be used to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app and prevent officials from undertaking regulatory or law enforcement duties.

There are about 40,000 Uber drivers in London and 3.5 million people use the Uber app to 'hail' a cab.

TfL said Uber had 21 days to appeal the decision and that it could continue to operate until the appeal process has been exhausted.

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Picture caption: Pixabay image of taxi cabs in London