Camden News: A PARKING chief who unwittingly was pictured in a YouTube video mocking Camden’s record of issuing tickets has quit the Town Hall, it emerged last night (Wednesday).

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden News - by RICHARD OSLEY
Published: 19 June 2008

A scene from ‘message to Rudy’oins the protest over free accommodation

‘YouTube’ parking chief quits Town Hall after six years

A PARKING chief who unwittingly was pictured in a YouTube video mocking Camden’s record of issuing tickets has quit the Town Hall, it emerged last night (Wednesday).
Rudy Bright was described as a cult internet star after his photograph was included in the short film, Rudy, Get The Message, a home-made movie put together by members of the parking campaign group London Motorists Action Group (LMAG).
Former colleagues said Mr Bright had not been driven out by the distribution of the video and instead had taken voluntary redundancy, agreeing a financial settlement in his final days at the council.
A council spokeswoman said: “The details of the arrangement are confidential. However, they are in line with the council’s Organisational Change, Redeployment and Redundancy Policy and Procedures. This policy is in place to ensure the council can both facilitate effective organisational change, and provide support to employees.”
Camden has already appointed a replacement.
In the protest video – which was posted online in April – a picture of Mr Bright looking around from his desk flashes across the screen in between shots of alleged mistakes in Camden’s parking policy. It is set to the soundtrack of The Specials’ hit: Rudy, Get The Message which has the thumping refrain: “Stop your messin’ around.”
Mr Bright has not been found to be personally at fault for any incorrectly issued parking penalty.
Camden reacted angrily to the film at the time, describing the it as “an unwarranted attack on a hard-working individual”.
While it is generally accepted by elected councillors that they might be lampooned by opponents, civil servants are more often than not given clemency from such barbs.
The council issued a fresh statement yesterday which added: “Rudy Bright is leaving his role as Camden Council’s head of parking after over six years running one of the most challenging services for any senior manager.
“During this time he has overseen a major campaign to make parking more transparent and fair.”
LMAG runs a website pointing out alleged mistakes in parking rules and offering an advice service for drivers who believe they have been unfairly ticketed
Simon Aldridge, one of its members, said: “Just because the manager resigns it doesn’t mean that the football team is going to start playing properly.”

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: