HENDON'S MP has been accused of “hypocrisy” by a Labour councillor after he criticised plans to increase parking charges in the borough.

Councillor Kath McGuirk said Tory Matthew Offord was actually the person who started problems in the parking department when he was in charge of it from 2004 to 2008.

Barnet Council are increasing residents permits by 150 per cent and getting rid of free parking bays in a bid to plug a £2m shortfall in the parking revenue account.

Mr Offord has said the increases are going to affect local businesses and pledged to lobby council leader Lynne Hillan to scrap them.

Cllr McGuirk said: "This is sheer hypocrisy from Mr Offord. Before he ran parking and highways it was a self financing department with a healthy surplus that could keep charges down and CPZs and car parks maintained.

“When he became Cabinet Member things went down-hill leading to a highways department that is now 'not fit for purpose'. We must ask why? Was it under his watch?

“Several years ago he hiked up charges beyond the purse of many residents and chaos ensued. Then he oversaw the botched project to re-build Aerodrome Road bridge which overspent by £12m. Will he now apologise?”

Mr Offord said the only increase in his time as councillor was a in line with inflation and he also introduced free visitor parking permits and a five minute grace period for off-street parking.