Council approves blue badge for amputee after Clarkson criticism

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

Norfolk County Council has approved a blue badge for a one-legged pensioner after initially rejecting his renewal application.

Nigel Ward, 71, has been granted a blue badge by Norfolk County Council after his renewal application was initially rejected. Mr Ward, a former banker, lost his left leg due to blood clots three years ago and was initially granted the badge, but his renewal was turned down.

The council asked Mr Ward to provide more medical evidence of his mobility issues. A council worker allegedly asked him whether he had a "spring prosthetic" that would allow him to run Olympic marathons. Mr Ward expressed his frustration, saying: "I'm considered independent now I've been given a prosthetic limb, but I can assure you I am a genuine amputee and I need a blue badge."

Jeremy Clarkson, who runs Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, criticised Norfolk County Council's decision in his column for The Sun, sarcastically suggesting Mr Ward claim he had ADHD instead. Mr Ward reapplied after losing confidence in his prosthetic following a fall in which he broke his femur on his amputated leg. After undergoing an assessment by a physiotherapist 50 miles away, his application was approved. Mr Ward said he was "happy and relieved" but expressed disappointment that the situation had escalated to such an extent.

How it is being reported

• Council gives one-legged man blue badge after being slammed by Jeremy ClarksonA one-legged pensioner has finally been granted a blue badge after a council asked him to prove he could not "run a marathon."Oxford Mail · 27 Oct, 12:30
• Council gives one-legged man blue badge after being slammed by Jeremy ClarksonA one-legged pensioner has finally been granted a blue badge after a council asked him to prove he could not "run a marathon."Oxfordshire Guardian · 27 Oct, 12:30

In this story: Nigel Ward · Jeremy Clarkson · Norfolk County Council · West Winch · King's Lynn

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