A six-month driving suspension has been issued to Tom Tugendhat, minister of security, for using his cell phone while behind the wheel.
In April, the 49-year-old Tonbridge and Malling Conservative MP apologized after his Skoda 4×4 was stopped by police in Wandsworth.
According to court documents, Mr. Tugendhat, who ran for Tory leadership after Boris Johnson resigned, told an officer he was using his cell phone for navigation.
Later that month, the Metropolitan Police sent him a conditional offer of a fixed penalty notice, and Mr. Tugendhat agreed to pay the fine and surrender his license.
According to court documents, Mr. Tugendhat, who ran for the Tory leadership after Boris Johnson resigned, told an officer he was using his mobile phone to navigate while driving.
In pleading guilty to operating a motor vehicle while using a portable mobile device, Tugendhat argued, “I was holding my phone, not using it.”
Tugendhat stated in a handwritten plea statement, “After the event, I completed a driving course to refresh and fix my driving.”
“I take my responsibilities and acknowledge my guilt.”
He had also provided the court with a copy of his driving course report, in which an instructor described him as a “well-balanced driver” who adheres to traffic laws and speed restrictions.
Tugendhat’s case was scheduled to be heard earlier this month at Bromley Magistrates’ Court under the single justice procedure, when prosecutions are handled in private.
Today (Thursday) he came before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court with a navy suit, white shirt, and blue tie to affirm his Clapham name and location.
PC Joseph Robson noticed the member of parliament using his cell phone while driving on Wandsworth High Street on April 14 shortly after 2.30 p.m., the prosecutor Geraldine Dickinson stated.
The left hand was used to hold the device.
“The vehicle was halted, and the driver was questioned.”
“It was confirmed that they were not calling 999 in an emergency”
Paul Morris, Tugendhat’s attorney, stated, “He accepts the facts as presented by the prosecution.”
He was completely cooperative with the cops at the site.
He is aware that a time of disqualification will have a significant influence on him.
District Judge Jack McGarva informed the minister, “Any use of a cell phone is a significant offense.”
It hinders individuals’ ability to drive safely.
I expect you to set an example for the rest of us with regard to your behavior.
Tugendhat received a six-month driving ban and a £1,000 fine.
In addition, he must pay a £100 surcharge and £110 in prosecution costs.
In April, the Met Police reported that Tugendhat attempted to pay a fine for the incident.
On Friday, Bromley Magistrates’ Court will hear the case under the single justice procedure, in which prosecutions are heard in private.
At the time of the incident, the minister already had six points on his license, so the case had to go to court because a driving ban was a possible outcome.
A representative for Tugendhat had stated, “Tom was pulled over in April of this year for holding his phone while driving.” He acknowledges that using his phone while driving is illegal. Tom quickly enrolled in a driving class on his own own.
Six months later, he received the court documents and entered a guilty plea. He apologizes without reservation and will accept the verdict.’
After being sworn in as a minister in September, Tugendhat informed the Home Office’s permanent secretary of the traffic violation.
Liz Truss appointed him to his position at the Home Office, and Rishi Sunak retained his services.
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