SPOTTED: Rochdale Council Leader caught illegally parking

Rochdale Council Leader Richard Farnell faces some difficult questions after being caught illegally parking on Drake Street, Rochdale. A report has been made to Greater Manchester Police after the Council Leader parked his top-of-the-range, privately registered car on the busy road. The road was clearly marked with double yellow lines.

Mr Farnell was spotted by local Liberal Democrat activist David Hennigan. Greater Manchester Police have been informed by a member of the public.

Councillor Andy Kelly, Lib Dem Leader in Rochdale, said: "Councillor Farnell knows parking there is illegal. He sits in his ivory towers in Rochdale Town Hall - dictating how people in this Borough should behave. He was clearly in contravention of the law and he should be made an example of. I am aware that Greater Manchester Police have been informed and if he doesn't face any penalty - it will send the wrong message to the people of this borough.

"It gives me no pleasure to call for this action. There shouldn't be one rule for Council Leaders and another for everyone else. He has been caught, he should apologise, accept any punishment and reiterate this Council's commitment to safer roads. Where he parked, commuters would have had to swerve onto the other side of the road. He could have caused a major accident and that is not acceptable."

Parking where it is prohibited (that is, double yellow lines) will incur a £70 penalty.