City Enforcer in F-word row with minister

The Rev Peter Hadden thought he was being a Good Samaritan by trying to help an American family whose car was being towed away on George Street.

But he was appalled when an Enforcer allegedly told him to "f*** off" and mind his own business. Now the 54-year-old minister, who was not wearing his dog collar at the time of the incident, is preparing to make an official complaint about the Enforcer’s behaviour and swearing.

He said today: "I feel his actions came very close to starting a fight, and he has done this city’s reputation abroad no good at all.

"He used very aggressive language. The air was beginning to turn blue"

Mr Hadden, of the Christian Centre Ministry on Dean Bridge, had intervened in the argument last Friday between the parking attendant and the three tourists. The couple, who were with their daughter, a student at St Andrews University, had unknowingly parked in a residents-only bay.

And despite the pay-and-display sticker on the window, Enforcers called for the tow-truck to remove the car.

When tourist Bradley Phelps and his family saw what was happening from a nearby restaurant they rushed outside, only to be told they could not get at the car and would have to pick it up at the compound.

To make matters worse, the hire car contained their passports and tickets for a flight home that evening.

Mr Phelps’ angry argument with the warden attracted a small crowd, but the trouble flared when two parking supervisors arrived on the scene.

Witnesses claim one supervisor threatened to call the police and have the tourist arrested. Mr Hadden, of Redford Gardens, Colinton, says he managed to calm Mr Phelps down.

"This guy had parked illegally, but he wasn’t to know that. Residents have been confused by these parking bays, and he had offered to pay the fine. There was just no common sense used. The guy was obviously upset, because he had a flight to catch and nothing was being done to try and solve the problem," he said.

Restaurant manager John Gleason also tried to help the couple, and was shocked when he too was told in no uncertain terms not to get involved.

"One of the supervisors just made it worse," he said. "When I went over to see if I could help he asked me who I was, whether it was any of my business and then told me to eff off. He started jabbing my chest with his finger and being very antagonistic."

A spokeswoman for Central Parking System, the company responsible for issuing the tickets, said:

"Parking restrictions are clearly marked on-street and on machines to avoid any confusion. The car owner was displaying some aggression, and as the situation was being exacerbated by members of the public, a CPS supervisor was called who asked the gentlemen to move from his position which was blocking the completion of the removal."

She said the couple had picked up their car at the compound in Leith after paying the 135 towing fine, and had then gone on to the airport where they were expected to make their flight.

And she added: "We have received no complaints about swearing. However, if we do we will investigate it."