Carmichael challenges “bizarre” Europcar policy on islanders

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has written to Europcar to challenge their “bizarre” policy of treating people from UK islands (including Shetland, Orkney, the Hebrides, the Isles of Scilly and the Isle of Wight) as “overseas customers”, and requiring them to show a passport in order to rent vehicles within the UK.

Mr Carmichael wrote to Europcar on behalf of Shetland constituents who had found they were barred from renting a car in Glasgow without a passport, being told that this was because they were from a “British island”. They were later told that this is defined as “one who, at the time of rental, is not resident in the United Kingdom or Northern Ireland. Included in this definition are residents of the Shetland, Orkneys, Hebrides, Isle of Man, Isle of Scilly, Channel Islands and the Isle of Wight.”

Mr Carmichael said:

“This is an utterly bizarre policy on the part of Europcar. At best it is a mistake, but one which demonstrates woeful ignorance on the part of the company or their staff about the basic composition of the United Kingdom. At worst it is intentional and wholly unjustified discrimination against people from island communities.

“Shetland is as much a part of the United Kingdom as anywhere else. It is unclear why residents of any UK island community – whether Shetland, Orkney or indeed the Isle of Wight – should be treated differently from residents of mainland communities when hiring a vehicle within the UK.

“There is no justification for islanders to be treated less favourably or subjected to unclear and unjustified requirements when accessing services on the mainland. I shall expect a clear explanation from Europcar on these points – and an apology to my constituents – in the coming days.”