A Government minister has claimed he was holding, but “not using”, his mobile phone as he pleaded guilty to a driving offence. Security minister Tom Tugendhat, 49, is facing a ban from the roads at a court hearing next week after he was stopped by police in his Skoda 4×4 in Wandsworth on April 4.
Mr Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge and Malling, stood for the Tory leadership after Boris Johnson stepped down. He previously apologised after he was prosecuted for using a mobile phone while driving.
In a written guilty plea to Bromley Magistrates’ Court, which heard the case in private under the single justice procedure, the politician said: “I was holding my phone – not using it. After the incident I took a course to refresh and correct my driving.
“I have included the result of the course. Please accept the course report. I accept my responsibility and recognise my culpability.”
Mr Tugendhat was assessed as “low” risk following his advanced driving course in May, according to the report. “Thomas does not come across as a fast driver who likes to rush; in fact, Thomas is very calm and handles situations accordingly,” his instructor wrote. Thomas is a well-balanced driver and is interested in reaching his destination safely.”
The Metropolitan Police sent Mr Tugendhat a conditional offer of a fixed penalty notice in April, and Mr Tugendhat agreed to pay the fine and surrender his driving licence, according to court papers. But the offence was sent to court for prosecution because Mr Tugendhat already had six penalty points on his driving record.
Using a mobile phone while driving can attract six penalty points and a disqualification can be imposed if a driver tots up 12 points within three years. But a ban can be avoided if the defendant can show “exceptional hardship” would be caused by the loss of their licence.
Mr Tugendhat’s case has been sent for a full hearing to consider disqualification at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 17.
A spokesman for Mr Tugendhat previously said: “Tom was stopped by police in April this year for holding his phone while driving. He accepts that holding his phone while driving is an offence.
“Tom immediately put himself on a driving course of his own volition. He received the court documents six months later and has entered a guilty plea. He apologises unreservedly and will accept the outcome of the case.”
It is understood Mr Tugendhat informed the Home Office permanent secretary about the driving offence after he was appointed as a minister in September.
