SNP MP Alan Brown is being pursued by bailiffs for trying to dodge a fare on a London bus – the only problem is that the MP Alan Brown has never been caught dodging a fare on a London bus.
Brown first received a warrant at his house in Scotland last year, insisting he pay up for trying to scam Transport for London (TfL).
At first the MP thought the letter from a company called the London Compliance Centre was a scam but after a quick google realised that it was legitimate.
“I chased that up and initially they said sorry and that someone else must be using my details. They then told me to go make a statutory declaration at a local magistrates court to prove my innocence.
“But that actually costs. So you either pay the debt collection agency money and get it over and done with or you pay a magistrates court.”
Brown said he didn’t leave it at that and contacted the original court officer, who admitted that there had been a mix-up and cancelled the fine.
However, that wasn’t followed through, and earlier this week he received another warning from a different debt collection agency.
“They say they’ve got a warrant which effectively means they can take goods and property from my home to recover the money. The truth is, I don’t know what’s happening.”
The MP says the fare dodger probably does have the same name as him. “I’m actually pretty sure he’s legitimately called Alan Brown. He gave an address, but his address is a homeless hostel.
“I’m pretty sure it’s a genuine Alan Brown, homeless, that he’s given his true address, and, not surprisingly, when they send letters to that person at that address, they get no response.
“But how they then take the quantum leap to Alan Brown in Galston, Ayrshire is a mystery.”
Steve Burton, TfL’s director of compliance, policing and on streets said: “We’re sorry to hear of Mr Brown’s experience. We have contacted Mr Brown and will assist him in resolving this matter.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel