MP slams 'over-zealous' council for towing car

A London has been accused of abusing its powers to tow away cars.

MP Norman Lamb condemned Hackney council after his Audi, which he had lent to his son, was seized.

He insists it was parked late at night on a single yellow line in a quiet street - and was towed away 15 minutes later, five minutes after a penalty notice was issued.

The Lib-Dem MP successfully appealed against the £280 charge and it emerged that the fine notice had been wrongly completed. He said the action of towing it away was an abuse of power.

"What an earth is the mischief you are seeking to address by removing a vehicle rather than simply putting a notice on it?" he asked.

Hackney council denied it used parking enforcement to raise money.