A Labour councillor in West London has issued an apology after being caught on two separate occasions parking his £208,000 Lamborghini in a disabled bay without displaying a blue badge. Farhaan Rehman, who represents Hounslow Heath, avoided a financial penalty despite the clear breach of parking rules.
The Parking Controversy
Farhaan Rehman's light blue Lamborghini Urus SE SUV was photographed parked in disabled spaces at Hounslow House civic centre on two occasions. While members of the public would typically face a fixed penalty notice of £160 for such an offence, Mr Rehman received no fine because the car park is privately owned by Hounslow Council.
The councillor has stated he will voluntarily donate £160 to charity instead. This decision has failed to satisfy political opponents and some members of the public, who see it as evidence of a two-tier system for elected officials and ordinary citizens.
Political Fallout and Resignation
The controversy has triggered significant political consequences for Councillor Rehman. He has stepped down from his role as chairman of the council's Licensing and General Purposes Committee, a position that carried an additional £9,424 annual allowance on top of his basic councillor payment of £12,730.
Conservative councillors have been particularly vocal in their criticism. Jack Emsley, the Conservative councillor for Chiswick Homefields, described the situation as an 'appalling double standard' and called for Mr Rehman to be deselected. 'He's been caught twice now parking in a disabled bay in a Lamborghini no less - it beggars belief,' Emsley stated.
Despite the pressure, the Hounslow Labour Group has accepted Mr Rehman's apology and resignation from the committee role. They have confirmed that he will remain as a Labour representative for Hounslow Heath and will still be a candidate for the 2026 elections.
Public Perception and Wider Context
The incident has raised questions about equality before the law. Loretta Alvarez, a 26-year-old single mother from the same borough, recently received a £1,000 fine for what was described as 'fly-tipping' after placing a cardboard envelope next to communal bins. She expressed her frustration, suggesting the councillor's actions create a perception of hierarchy where elected officials operate under different rules.
Adding another layer to the story, Mr Rehman's father, Shafiq Reham, serves as General Secretary of Hounslow Jamia Masjid and Islamic Centre, one of the UK's largest mosques. This mosque is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission over concerns about its governance and financial compliance.
The Labour Party spokesman acknowledged that the Hounslow Labour Group considers Councillor Rehman's actions 'unacceptable', but stated he has 'accepted full responsibility and acted promptly' in response to the incident.
