MP Slams Attempt to Gag Local Press - Gordon Prentice

Gordon Prentice - Pendle's Campaigning Labour MP

Written by Gordon Prentice

Monday, 17 March 2008 00:00

One of Pendle's most notorious car parking "enforcers", Matthew Brough, claims he has taken local newspapers to the Press Complaints Commission for allegedly misreporting his links with Effective Car Park Management. Brough caused huge anxiety over Christmas and New Year when he slapped multiple penalty notices on unsuspecting motorists who parked at Lomeshaye in Nelson.

In a motion which appears on the Commons Order paper today, local MP, Gordon Prentice, has urged local newspapers to stand firm and not to apologise to Brough but, instead, publish full details of the web of companies Matthew Brough is involved in.

Speaking from Westminster, the MP said: "The man is a menace."

EFFECTIVE CAR PARK MANAGEMENT (no 2)

This House notes with incredulity that Matthew Brough, has demanded an immediate apology and retraction from the Lancashire Telegraph and Leader Times series of newspapers for referring to him as the owner of Effective Car Park Management, the trading name of MJB Car Park Management Ltd which has issued hundreds of penalty notices in threatening terms against unsuspecting motorists in Pendle causing immense anxiety and distress; further notes that Brough has complained to the Press Complaints Commission about the inaccuracy; notes that on his own admission Brough works for ECPM but omits to say that it is owned by his wife, Ruth Brough, who shares the same address as Brough at 12 Longfield Court, Barnoldswick and that she is a director of many companies with which Brough is associated including Purple Security Services Ltd, MJB Support Services Ltd, Purple Security Northern, Purple Security Southern and WANS Contracting Ltd; further notes that Brough has set up yet another company, Nupark Car Parks Ltd, registered at the Innovation Centre in Nelson; urges both papers to resist any further pressure from Brough and to publish full details of the web of companies Brough has established and wound up over recent years with the involvement of his wife Ruth and mother Lynn; calls on the PCC to take no action to support Matthew Brough whose constant threats of litigation and aggressive pursuit of motorists mark him out as being wholly unfit to be involved in car parking enforcement in any capacity and urges Lancashire County Council Trading Standards to conclude their investigations into Brough’s activities without delay.

GORDON PRENTICE MP

Last Updated ( Saturday, 25 October 2008 06:51 )