A SCOTTISH Conservative peer has admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Alexander Scrymgeour, the Earl of Dundee, admitted to drinking “a few glasses of wine” before trying to drive home from his friend’s residence earlier this year.
The Tory peer swerved over verges and pavements and was followed for several minutes while he was driving excessively slowly and veering in and out of the oncoming lane.
Scrymgeour was more than double the legal limit when he tried to drive home.
Appearing at Dundee Sheriff Court on Friday, Scrymgeour – chief of the Clan Scrymgeour – admitted drink-driving in his Toyota Hilux truck on May 12.
The 75-year-old member of the House of Lords, from Birkhill House, Balmerino, admitted driving in St Michaels, Fife, when his breath alcohol level read 50 micrograms per 100ml. The legal limit is 22 micrograms per 100ml.
Carrie-Ann MacKenzie, the fiscal depute, told the court: “He has no previous convictions. At 12.35am witness Doig was driving behind the accused when he noticed the accused’s vehicle being driven over both lanes, mounting pavements and grass verges and going much slower than the speed limit.
“His concern was such that he made contact with the police and continued to follow the accused until police traced him.
“Police arrived at 12.50am and stopped the accused within his vehicle. He was found to be slurring his words, a smell of alcohol was noted and he admitted having had a few glasses of wine.
“He provided a specimen for a roadside breath test which was positive and he was conveyed to Dundee police station.”
She said Scrymgeour’s lower reading was 50 micrograms and he was cautioned and charged, before being released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.
The barrister John Boyle, representing the earl, said: “This was a misjudgment on his part. He had been at a friend’s house.
“Some alcohol was taken and he thought he would be fit to drive. He realises the error of his ways and apologises to the court. He is a farmer in the local area.
“Given his employment in a rural area, there will be some difficulty relying on public transport. Disqualification will be pretty significant for him. In terms of a financial penalty he will be in a position to meet that within 28 days.”
The sheriff Alastair Carmichael fined Scrymgeour £200 and banned him from driving for 12 months, reduced from 15 months to take account of his early plea of guilty. It will be reduced by a further three months if the peer completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
Scrymgeour was educated in England at Ludgrove School and Eton College before attending the University of St Andrews and was a page of honour to Queen Elizabeth.
The earl was the Conservative parliamentary candidate in the Hamilton by-election in 1976 and joined the House of Lords in 1983 after the death of his father.
Between 1986 and 1989 he served as a party whip as well as the government spokesman for various briefs including education, Scottish affairs and energy.
In 1999, after the reform of the chamber, he was made an elected hereditary peer and took the title Earl of Dundee.
His family’s Dundee Farming Company manages about 2000 acres across Fife and Angus.
