A SITTING MP has been issued with a fixed penalty notice for dropping a cigarette outside an election count.

Richard Holden, who represents North-West Durham, was hit with the £100 charge outside the Lousia Centre in Stanley on Saturday.

He had been there supporting Conservative Party candidates in the Durham County Council elections but had left the building to smoke a cigarette.

The Northern Echo understands he was spotted by a council warden dropping the butt onto the ground.

The charge was issued for the offence of littering.

Mr Holden, who was elected in 2019, and has posted pictures of himself on social media doing litter picking in Consett, was given ten days to pay or the charge increases to £150.

Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “We can confirm one of our neighbourhood wardens observed two people littering outside the Louisa Centre, Stanley, during Saturday’s local election count and issued them both with fixed penalty notices.”

Richard Holden has been contacted for comment.