Outwood MP Ed Balls investigated by police after failing to stop following collision

MP Balls was tracked down through CCTV footage of the incident, outside the Labour Rooms in Morley earlier this month.

He had been trying to turn his car around in a narrow driveway when he touched bumpers with a parked Peugeot 306.

The shadow chancellor said he had ‘no awareness at all’ that the car had been damaged and that he had taken full responsibility when told by police what had happened.

He said: “Ten days ago, I turned our car round in a tight spot in the private drive beside the Labour Rooms. There was a stationary car parked closed by. The turn took five or seven points and I was aware that at one point the bumpers of the two cars touched.

“I parked there all the time in what is a relatively narrow drive. But until I was contacted by the police the following Wednesday, I had no awareness at all that there had been any damage to the other car.

“As soon as I was made aware of what had happened I took full responsibility for any damage caused.

“I have written to the owner of the car to say I was terribly sorry and to reimburse the owner concerned for the necessary repair. I have contacted our insurance company in the usual way.”

A police spokesman said inquiries into the incident were continuing.