Bognor mayor parking row: 'I did not set it up'

Observer reader Elaine Phillips' took a picture of the car parked by Rob Gillibrand outside the Hawthorn Road Co-op, and sent to the paper.

But now West Sussex county councillor for Bognor Regis, Francis Oppler, has found himself in the firing line and has been accused of taking the picture or teaming up with Mrs Phillips to set up the mayor Jennifer Gillibrand.

"I have categorically denied ever knowing the photographer at any level whatsoever. I made it crystal clear," said Cllr Oppler.

"They said 30 people had contacted them to say it was me. They have got themselves in a corner and now are lashing out in all directions."

Cllr Oppler, of the Liberal Democrat party, has written to the deputy town clerk of Bognor Regis Town Council explaining that the finger had been pointed at him to say he was responsible for the picture.

He said he was 'very annoyed' at the allegations being made and said that if he did not receive a written apology he would report them to the standards committee at Arun District Council.

Mrs Phillips, who sent in the picture, was on her way to the Hawthorn Road Co-op when she spotted the mayor's car in a disabled bay. She said she recognised the vehicle and knew that neither of them were disabled.

There are only three disabled bays allocated in the car park.

She said: "There are 20 other spots they could have parked in. How could anyone have known they were going shopping on a Sunday afternoon?"

Last week Mr Gillibrand admitted the incident was just an accident and his wife said it was an 'honest mistake'.

Mrs Gillibrand said: "I am sorry, I am not being drawn into this. I've got no comment to make."