Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead ‘claims parking fine on expenses’

Abena Oppong-Asare, a member of Sir Keir Starmer's team, charged taxpayers for a £55 parking ticket, The Independent reports.

This incident has prompted the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) to tighten its rules and send a letter to MPs addressing the issue.

The parking fine was given when a member of Oppong-Asare's staff received a ticket while parked outside a constituency surgery in Erith and Thamesmead, according to The Independent.

A spokesperson for the Labour Party has said that the ticket was an “administrative error” and was paid back to IPSA “as soon as it was spotted”.

After reviewing past claims, IPSA adjusted its processes to prevent future claims of this nature from being paid.

The authority also reminded MPs and their staff that they are not permitted to claim for penalties and fines.

Oppong-Asare defended herself by stating that the claim was submitted without her knowledge by a member of her staff.

However, critics, including senior Conservative MPs, have called for her dismissal, The Independent reports.

They argue that a parking ticket should not be considered a “legitimate business expense” and point to the clear rule in IPSA's code of conduct.

Notably, this incident follows a previous report revealing that a Tory minister and two MPs had wrongly claimed driving fines on their expenses.

According to The Independent, Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman of the committee on standards in public life, criticized Oppong-Asare's behaviour and urged her to exercise more caution with public finances.

In response to the incident, IPSA has written to all MPs to remind them of the rules and has promised to crack down on such claims.

Oppong-Asare eventually repaid the £55 claimed as a "staff travel" expense to IPSA.

Oppong-Asare's parking fine falls under the discounted band B charge in Bexleyheath, southeast London, and was paid within the reduced payment period.

Critics have raised concerns about the claim in light of the cost of living and the impact of London mayor Sadiq Khan's Ulez expansion on Oppong-Asare's constituents.

Senior Tory MP Henry Smith and Iain Duncan Smith both called for Oppong-Asare's dismissal, labeling the claim "ridiculous" and highlighting a sense of entitlement and lack of awareness on the part of the Labour party.

The case has attracted significant scrutiny and debate within political circles.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “This was an administrative error and was paid back to IPSA as soon as it was spotted.”