WORLD BRIEFING / BRITAIN

Hundreds of drivers of London’s black taxis protested a decision that could allow a man to become a cabby despite having been convicted of manslaughter for strangling his wife.

The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was found guilty in 2001 and has applied to take a test called “The Knowledge” -- which all London cabbies must pass to drive a black taxi.

The 38-year-old, diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic at the time of his trial, was released in 2005 and is no longer on parole. Transport for London officials said there were no grounds to reject the new application as the man had served his time for manslaughter and passed background and medical checks.

The agency said an independent committee is reviewing the case before a final decision is reached.