Outspoken former Speaker of the House of Commons Betty Boothroyd has challenged ‘Dick Turpin’ car clamper Ted Evans to donate double the release fee she paid him to a Bradford charity.
Baroness Boothroyd and her friend Jean Megahy had to pay £75 after Mrs Megahy’s car was clamped during a visit to Haworth in October. Mrs Megahy’s parking ticket had fallen face-down in her car.
Now Baroness Boothroyd has learned of Mr Evans’ bid to capitalise on his notoriety by raising cash for Bradford Day Shelter by selling ‘Dick Turpin’ T-shirts.
She said: “My message to Mr Evans is that he should pay the £75 clamping fee, double it and send it to the centre to show he has human charity.”
She said she had been inundated with letters from people who had been clamped in Haworth and she was keeping a file.
Mr Evans, who is selling his T-shirts from Haworth’s Changegate car park, said: “I don’t really wish to comment.
“I’ve already contributed to the shelter and I’ll be contributing even more, but I don’t wish to reveal how much.”
He started the fundraiser after seeing a film and presentation about the work of the shelter, which is run by Horton Housing Association in Edmond Street, Bradford.
A spokesman for Horton Housing said: “We are very grateful for the contribution Mr Evans has made and is making, which is a significant one.”
A Parliamentary inquiry has been started into the practice of wheel clamping by a Home Affairs Committee, which is taking evidence from both sides.
Both Baroness Boothroyd and Keighley MP Ann Cryer have contributed.
Mr Evans was given the title Dick Turpin in 2003 by the RAC Foundation, which was looking for the clamper with the worst reputation in the country.
e-mail: clive.white@telegraphandargus.co.uk
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