A senior councillor has made a donation to charity after he was caught abusing his council parking permit.

Labour Cabinet member Clr Peter McBride caused outrage after he used his councillor’s free permit to park up while he went on holiday.

Dalton councillor McBride left his car in the pay-and-display near the Kings Head pub in St George’s Square, Huddersfield.

While he was away the Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival was held and his car was fenced off amid the festivities.

All Kirklees councillors are given a “member’s permit” which allows them to park for free in council car parks throughout the district – but only on official council business.

Clr McBride left his Ford Focus when he went to meetings in Leeds and Sheffield but didn’t collect it. Instead he left it there while he went off on a family holiday to Spain.

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Examiner readers took to Facebook to express their anger and called Clr McBride’s judgement into question.

As Cabinet member for economic development and planning he is responsible for some of the biggest – and most controversial – issues the council faces.

When Clr McBride was revealed by the Examiner as the owner of the car he apologised and turned himself in to the parking office.

He promised he would accept and pay a fine.

Clr McBride left his car in the short-stay car park for about 10 days and the Examiner pressed the council on what the fine would be.

Now the council has revealed Clr McBride has made a donation to the Mayor’s charity, the Royal British Legion, in lieu of a fine.

The council said the fine would have totalled £350 and that is the sum he will give to the charity.

The penalty charge notice for breaching parking restrictions was £50 a day but, if paid within 14 days, that was reduced to £25. Clr McBride paid the equivalent of 14 days’ worth of fines at the reduced rate totalling £350.

A council spokesman said: “Following Clr McBride’s apology for parking at St George’s Square during the food festival, Clr McBride has paid £350 to the Royal British Legion, this year’s Mayor’s charity.

“The reason that the payment has been made to charity instead of the council is that when events take place in the square, parking charges are suspended in some areas.

“The amount paid by Clr McBride is equivalent to a two-week parking fine that is paid promptly. It is important to note that this is the same amount as we would charge any member of the public.”