Labour today claimed Westminster council's planned parking charges may be illegal and called on the Government to intervene.
In the Commons, MP Karen Buck challenged three Cabinet ministers with questions demanding statements on whether they support council leader Colin Barrow.
And the Labour group leader on the council seized on remarks made last week by Transport Secretary Justine Greening to the Evening Standard as evidence that the council is breaking the law by simply making money.
"At last, a government minister has blown the whistle on Westminster money raising West End parking charges," said Paul Dimoldenberg. "As Ms Greening says, these evening and Sunday parking charges are nothing to do with reducing West End congestion but are simply a way for the council to fill the black hole in its finances.
"This is not only underhand but potentially illegal. The question now is, what is Ms Greening going to do to stop Westminster from fleecing motorists, wrecking the West End economy and destroying thousands of jobs in West End theatres, restaurants, casinos, clubs and bars?"
The council is proposing to charge up to £4.80 an hour in the West End as it abolishes free parking on single yellow lines and parking bays after 6.30pm in the week and between 1pm and 6pm on Sundays.
The plan has run into a barrage of criticism from local businesses. Lord Young, the Prime Minister's business adviser, said it would "destroy the West End", while Transport Minister Norman Baker branded it "a war on motorists". In an interview, Ms Greening said she thought the council was trying "to put some extra money in their coffers", which would arguably be unlawful. More than 1,500 people have signed a petition against the plan.
The council denied that its plans were about money-raising. Lee Rowley, the council cabinet member overseeing the charges, said: "Westminster does not, and cannot, legally run its parking service to generate revenue and parking.
"We appreciate that this is an unpopular decision in some quarters. We are charging at times when parking was previously free, but we have a statutory duty to manage the roads effectively."
Ms Buck put down eight written questions which ministers are due to answer in the Commons next week. She said: "Conservative ministers have made clear their unease at Westminster council's parking policy.
"The question is what, if anything, they are proposing to do about it."
