A Devon MP has apologised for parking illegally in a disabled bay at Newton Abbot railway station.
A Conservative MP who said the number of disabled parking spaces across the UK was "disproportionate" has come under fire from a motorists' group.
Anthony Steen, the Conservative MP for Totnes, said he was "rushing" to Westminster and parked in the disabled bay because the car park was full.
Douglas Campbell, of disabled transport group Mobilise, branded Anthony Steen a "pompous oaf" over the comments.
He said the station had "an absurd number of handicapped spaces" and the regulations should be looked at.
The row erupted after Mr Steen was fined for leaving his car in a disabled bay at Newton Abbot railway station.
Mr Steen described a constituent who photographed the car and told a local newspaper as "very sneaky".
The Totnes MP said there was an "absurd number of handicapped spaces" and national regulations should be changed.
I applaud the warden who issued the fixed penalty Helen Smith, Mobilise
He said he had been "rushing" to Westminster and had used the disabled bay because the car park was full.
But his actions have been condemned by the charity Mobilise, which promotes the welfare of disabled people.
He said: "It's not a requirement that you provide so much for the handicapped and comparatively insufficient for the un-handicapped.
Director Helen Smith told BBC News there was no defence for parking in a disabled bay.
"Of course we want to help the handicapped, and of course they've got to be given provisions, but not against the interests of the majority".
"It's not for him to decide how many disabled spaces there should be," she said.
But Mr Campbell said the MP appeared to be a "pompous oaf".
"He could have been denying someone who genuinely needed that space and may have had to return home.
He added: "To suggest that disabled people's needs should not be met at the cost of other people's needs, presumably also Anthony Steen thinks that all disabled people should sit at home twiddle their thumbs, not have a job, and perhaps just go to the day centre in an ambulance every day."
"It was an abuse and I applaud the warden who issued the fixed penalty."
However, several callers to BBC local radio stations said they agreed with Mr Steen's views.
Mr Steen said there were several vacant disabled bays at the station.
The Conservative Party has distance itself from the MP's comments.
'Too many spaces'
"Not that I've ever seen a handicapped person ever use one of them," he said.
"Some helpful and public spirited constituent telephoned the Herald-Express to let them know my car was there.
"It would have been much more useful if they'd telephoned me to let me know my car had a ticket, but they didn't choose to do that and they were anonymous which is a very sneaky thing to do."
Anthony Steen said it was his first ticket in 24 years
The MP said while he accepted he had parked in the wrong space and deserved his ticket, he believes the station has too many disabled parking bays.
"Every time I go to Newton Abbot station, I'm going to photograph the handicapped spaces because I can tell you none of them are used," he added.
Disabled driver Fergus Millar said Mr Steen's actions were wrong.
"It was thoughtless and a bad example from someone who should know better," he said.
Mr Steen said there was a "disproportionate amount" of disabled parking spaces at stations across the country.
"Of course the handicapped have got to be given provisions, but not against the interests of the majority.
"I certainly shouldn't have parked where I did and I'm very sorry I did," he said, adding that it was his first parking ticket in 24 years.
A spokesman for the Conservative Party Central Office said: "If he is going to pay the fine then that will be the end of the matter."
