Uber faces serious charges –why is Khan offering an olive branch? | Nils Pratley

The ride-hailing service has offered a vague 'apology' now its London licence is under threat, but it has failed to address the issues

Dara Khosrowshahi became chief executive of Uber because his predecessor, Travis Kalanick, had become a liability. Uber's private equity backers knew there was little hope of getting the taxi service firm's shares listed on a stock market while Kalanick was at the helm, annoying regulators and inflaming every dispute that crossed his desk. Khosrowshahi, fresh out of Expedia, would be the antidote to the co-founder's aggression.

It should be no surprise, then, that the new man has adopted a gentler tone in response to Transport for London's decision last week not to renew Uber's licence. "On behalf of everyone at Uber globally," declared Khosrowshahi on Monday, "I apologise for the mistakes we've made."