Clearly mindful of the shitstorm that’s ensued from the parking ticket PR disaster of yesterday, Walsall Council have issued a statement apologising here, which I’ll reproduce in full below:

Remembrance Day parking tickets

Date Published : 09 November 2009

Councillor Mike Bird, Walsall Council Leader, said: “I offer my personal apologies to any veterans, servicemen and women and their families who were issued with a parking ticket while attending the Remembrance Day event in Walsall on Sunday, 8 November 2009.

“Walsall Council acknowledges the great sacrifices made by soldiers over the years and the efforts of our armed forces currently involved in conflicts and Sunday’s event was an important opportunity for us all to reflect upon their courage, bravery and dignity.

“Arrangements had been made for veterans to use a designated car park in Walsall free of charge but we now realise that this was not possible due to its use by cadets involved in the event and we apologise for any inconvenience this also caused.

“Sunday parking charges were introduced in September this year and all of our pay and display car parks have signs making this clear. We appreciate, however, that they were not applicable at last year’s event which may have caused people to think they did not apply this time round.

“I can assure anyone who appeals a ticket which was issued during the Remembrance Day event that their case will be treated sympathetically.”

So, before we break out the Champagne and the handlers remuzzle our hapless leader, read this very carefully. These unfortunate people will still have to be dragged through the appeal process with all the attendant cost, hassle and worry, and presumable provide ID to prove that they are in the group carefully ascribed. So no about turn here really, just window dressing over a PR disaster.

I welcome the gesture but I’m afraid we need a bit more clarity. I’ll be watching this one carefully. Perhaps it would be better if they kept Mr. Bird away from the media until the dust settles…