Leeds councillor who misused disabled parking badge is asked to stand down

As previously reported by The Yorkshire Post, Andrea McKenna – a Labour member for Garforth and Swillington, Leeds – was fined £120 by magistrates in September. The Labour group on Leeds City Council subsequently imposed a two-month suspension on Coun McKenna, a former lady mayoress.

And now the Garforth and Swillington branch of the Labour Party has asked her not to stand as its candidate in May’s council elections.

It is understood that a vote of no confidence in Coun McKenna was passed at a recent branch meeting.

However, the councillor appeared to indicate that she would not be stepping down voluntarily. Coun McKenna was given a parking ticket when she was caught wrongfully using the blue badge in Leeds city centre last February.

Labour’s Garforth and Swillington branch does not have the power to deselect Coun McKenna. It is understood, however, that if she refuses to stand down then the matter will be referred further up the Labour Party with a view to her being removed.