Lib Dem leader Ed Davey fined for speeding on M1 motorway

Sir Ed Davey[1], the Liberal Democrat leader, has been fined for speeding after being caught doing 73mph in a 60mph zone on the M1 motorway. Details of the case, dealt with under an administrative system called the single justice procedure[2], were revealed by London's Evening Standard newspaper[3] on Wednesday. Sir Ed wrote a letter of explanation in which he said he had tried to pay a speeding ticket issued by Bedfordshire Police[4] after he was caught speeding on the M1 near Caddington.

The Lib Dem leader failed to provide his licence details to police so the matter was brought before magistrates in MarchThe Lib Dem leader failed to provide his licence details to police so the matter was brought before magistrates in MarchCredit: ANDREW MATTHEWS/PA WIRE

In a "genuine oversight", he inadvertently failed to provide his driving licence details so the matter was brought before magistrates to consider in March.

Single justice procedure cases are dealt with via paperwork only, with no in-person court case. Sir Ed wrote: "I apologise. The only mitigation for failing to provide my licence details was just being super-busy and failing to read the form fully, having already accepted liability and made arrangements for the payment.

'Serious mobility issues'

"Again, I apologise for that.

I would like to add that I am the primary driver in a family of four, with two people who have serious mobility issues. "My son has a lifelong undiagnosed disability, which means he cannot walk - we use a Motability vehicle for him. "My wife has MS [multiple sclerosis] and walks very slowly with a stick, though she can drive as necessary.

Thank you for any mitigation you feel able to show in my case."

Sir Ed has been trying to inject 'fun' into his party's general election campaignSir Ed has been trying to inject 'fun' into his party's general election campaignCredit: DINENDRA HARIA/LNP

He was handed a GBP72 fine at Luton Magistrates' Court, with a GBP28 victim surcharge, and had three points added to his licence, court staff confirmed. He was not asked to pay prosecution costs. A Lib Dem spokesman said: "Ed inadvertently broke the speed limit on the M1[5], which he is sorry for.

He has paid the fine and accepted the points on his licence."

It came as Jeremy Hunt[6], the Chancellor, pledged his support for speed cameras to be introduced in Compton, a village in his Surrey constituency, in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Having spoken to Jill Eyles and many others I will do all I can to support Compton residents in getting speed cameras for the village.

We've got terrible issues here with dangerous driving/ speeding locally and I will push for action for safety in Compton as I have in many other... pic.twitter.com/91tJ0PVBIm[7]

-- Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) June 5, 2024[8]

References

  1. ^ Sir Ed Davey (www.telegraph.co.uk)
  2. ^ single justice procedure (www.telegraph.co.uk)
  3. ^ Evening Standard newspaper (www.telegraph.co.uk)
  4. ^ Bedfordshire Police (www.telegraph.co.uk)
  5. ^ speed limit on the M1 (www.telegraph.co.uk)
  6. ^ Jeremy Hunt (www.telegraph.co.uk)
  7. ^ pic.twitter.com/91tJ0PVBIm (t.co)
  8. ^ June 5, 2024 (twitter.com)

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