Pop superstars One Direction are at the centre of another scandal, it emerged today. The group’s PR staff, already desperate to deflect attention from the now notorious alleged drug-taking video, are unlikely to be heartened by the latest revelation, which involves an investigation into one of London’s most high-profile companies.
Last week, the Daily Mail released a video purporting to show band members Zayn Malik, 21, and Louis Tomlinson, 22, joking about marijuana whilst smoking what appeared to be a rolled-up joint, as they travelled in a car in Peru. Although there has been no official confirmation that illegal substances were involved, bandmate Liam Payne admitted on Twitter that things have “gone sideways” and said the group have “a lot of growing up to do”. Meanwhile, music impresario Simon Cowell said he hopes that One Direction fans will stay loyal to the group, and called the events depicted in the video “a private matter”.
Hopes that the controversy would die down were today dashed by the news that Transport for London and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating London’s biggest minicab firm over a possible safety issue. Addison Lee, the firm that carries 10 million passengers a year throughout the capital, is facing a lengthy probe and possible suspension of its licence to operate after being mentioned in the recent One Direction song Midnight Memories, which includes the line, sung by Louis Tomlinson, “Tell me that I’m wrong but I do what I please/Way too many people in the Addison Lee.”
Dorien Toncie, A Transport for London spokesperson said: “All minicabs are licensed to carry a maximum number of passengers, depending on the vehicle type and configuration. Passenger safety is paramount, and alleged breaches are taken seriously.” Ms Toncie refused to confirm whether the investigation will look into possible drug use, or relates only to vehicle capacity and safety issues.
It is unclear why the issue has only now come to light. One Direction’s album, also titled Midnight Memories, was released some seven months ago, with the song itself available as a single from March this year. Whilst it seems likely that there is simply increased scrutiny after the alleged drug video, it has also been suggested that a senior manager within Transport for London was recently gifted the Midnight Memories album through iTunes by an unknown third party. Addison Lee made no official comment, but a source suggested that murky business practices might be at play. “This has Uber’s fingerprints all over it,” he said. Uber, the ride-sharing company hoping to win custom away from traditional cab firms, is currently embroiled in a court battle concerning its operation on the capital city’s streets.
Syco has not yet responded to allegations that the over-capacity minicab was caused by members of ‘Hairy Styles’, the affectionate name given to the group of thirtysomething women who attend to the complex coiffuring needs of band member Harry Styles.
