A Barnet councillor accused of abusing political privileges has given up his free parking permit.

The badges are given to all Conservative politicians for use on council business only.

Hale representative Hugh Rayner breached council rules when he used the members permit to park his van while canvassing in Edgware high street on Tuesday morning.

Labour activist Adam Langleben, who was also canvassing in the area at the time, yesterday accused Cllr Rayner of abusing the public’s trust via posts on his blog and Twitter account.

The borough’s Labour group declined to accept the permits when they were introduced by the Tory cabinet last year, claiming it was unfair on taxpayers.

Group leader Alison Moore said she was “shocked” at what she described as an abuse of councillor’s privileges.

Barnet Council confirmed yesterday it would be investigating the matter, but this morning the Hendon Conservative Association chairman declared he would be giving up the pass.

He said: “I appreciate I should have registered my vehicle for payment but I did not remember to do so.

“I display my councillor’s parking permit permanently on my vehicle so it will always be available when I am on council business.

“There is the perception that I deliberately relied on this to avoid paying parking charges. I did not. The council permit was quite simply not an issue in this case and the thought of misusing it did not enter my mind.

“Nevertheless, by permanently displaying my permit, I can understand how my actions might be perceived and in order to correct the situation I will be making a contribution equivalent to a parking ticket to the Mayor’s charity.

“Indeed, so that there is no further misunderstanding in this regard I have already returned the permit to the council.”