Anger as Nigel Farage parks in disabled space
Chauffeur-driven BMW left for 45 minutes, claims witness
NIGEL Farage sparked fury after using a disabled parking spot for 45 minutes to go shopping at M&S.
Pictures taken on April 22 show the former Ukip leader exit a white BMW next to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London – clearly marked as disabled parking only.
His chauffeur is said to have walked Mr Farage – president of Reform UK – to a building before waiting while smoking cigarettes and buying food.
Mr Farage, inset, then exited the building and the pair stopped off at M&S before returning to the car and leaving. An eyewitness – who wished to remain anonymous – said: “It’s outrageous.
“Everyone else has to obey the rules but he can just park in a disabled bay.”
According to the witness, Mr Farage’s driver was parked in the bay from about 10.43am to 11.29am. Westminster City Council said pick up and set down is permitted in the parking bay – as long as it does not exceed two minutes – but “subsequent waiting is not allowed without a disabled badge being on display or further exemption”.
The authority said: “The council monitors these bays to ensure drivers are complying with the rules.” The witness said: “I wasn’t happy. It was busy so lots of people were looking over at that disabled spot then driving off. The chauffeur driver saw it then I just saw him reverse into the parking spot. Nigel Farage got out and walked into a building opposite.
“The driver walked him into the building, then came out, has gone over to another building across the road and eaten food.
“The driver was smoking cigs, they had no care where they were parking.”
Mr Farage’s representatives declined to comment but he previously spoke about refusing to be registered as partially disabled after major surgery following a near-fatal plane crash during the 2010 General Election.
Last September, the GB News presenter said: “The neurosurgeon said, ‘Well, Nigel, with your condition, I can sign you off as partially disabled’ and I told him politely where to go.
“I think for many people, this is about a state of mind.”