Labour PPC steps down over unpaid parking fines

Labour’s PPC for the target seat of Kingswood – Josie Channer – has stepped down as the party’s candidate after it emerged that she has over£2,000 in unpaid parking fines and late payment fees. The BBC reports:

“A Labour parliamentary candidate has stood down after it emerged she owed more than £2,000 in parking fines and late payment fees. Josie Channer accrued the penalties in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, where she is a councillor on a committee overseeing parking issues.”

In a statement released today, Channer said:

“It is with regret that circumstances mean that I cannot devote the time and resources necessary to the task of winning back Kingswood for Labour in 2015 and I have  therefore stood down as Labour’s candidate. It was a great honour to be selected by local Labour Party members to stand.

“It has been fantastic getting to know the residents of Kingswood and the local Party members. I wish them well as they continue to fight for the Labour victory Kingswood deserves and needs in 2015.”

There’s no word yet on when a new candidate will be selected to fight the seat – but we’ll let you know when that decision has been made.