Outwood MP, Ed Balls, to accept penalty for car damage

The shadow chancellor and Outwood and Morley MP has been informed that police are to charge him over the incident in Morley, West Yorkshire, last month.

Writing on his blog, Mr Balls indicated that he expected to be punished with penalty points on his licence - but reiterated that he was unaware he had damaged another vehicle.

“I’d been turning our car round in a tight spot in the narrow private drive beside the Labour rooms in Morley where I park all the time,” he wrote.

“Another car was parked close by and I was aware the two bumpers touched. But I had no idea any damage had been done until the police got in touch a week later.

“As soon as I was aware any damage had been done, I immediately took full responsibility for any damage caused. I’ve been in touch with the owner to apologise for the inconvenience and to pay for the repair to the marks on the parked car’s bodywork.

“The police have to do their job. Once I’d confirmed I knew the bumpers had touched, their standard approach is to proceed to charge as they expect people to stop and check.

“I fully understand and accept that, so of course I will be accepting the charge. While I had no knowledge at the time that any damage had occurred, I accept their view that I should have checked.

“Getting points on my licence will be a blow - but that’s the way it works.”