Security Minister Tom Tugendhat arrives at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to be sentenced for driving while using his mobile phone
(Picture: PA)Security minister Tom Tugendhat has been fined £1000 and banned from driving for six months after being caught using his mobile phone at the wheel.
The Conservative MP, 49, appeared at Westminster magistrates court to be sentenced on Thursday for the incident on April 14 this year while driving his Skoda on Wandsworth High Street.
District Judge Jack McGarva told him: “I would expect you to set a good example to the rest of us in terms of your conduct.”
Tugendhat, who was permitted to sit in front of the dock, stood with his hands behind his back as he was sentenced to a six-month ban, in a hearing which lasted less than ten minutes.
He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and address in Clapham, and to thank the judge as the hearing ended.
“He accepts the prosecution facts as they are, he cooperated fully with the police at the scene, and he entered a guilty plea at the very earliest opportunity, and today maintains that guilty plea”, said his lawyer, Paul Morris.
Tugendhat – appointed Security Minister by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - was originally prosecuted through the Single Justice Procedure, and wrote to the court to admit the offence, saying: “I was holding my phone – not using it.
“After the incident I took a course to refresh and correct my driving - I accept my responsibility and recognise my culpability.”
His case was moved to an open court hearing to determine if a ban should be imposed, and was placed before a judge due to his status as an MP.
Tugendhat was caught out when a police officer spotting him breaking the law on Wandsworth High Street on April 14.
PC Joseph Robson said he was on patrol at just after 2.30pm when he spotted a motorist in a Skoda “using a hand held mobile device whilst driving”.
“The device was being held in their left hand/s to the front, in front of themselves. I saw this from around 3 meters, in good daylight with no obstructions. I saw this for around 20 seconds.
“The driver did appear to be having a conversation. The driver did not appear to be operating the device.
“I stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver. I confirmed they weren’t making emergency contact to the 999 service. I pointed out the offence where they confirmed the communication was using maps.”
The officer added that Tugendhat “made no comment” after being given a police caution.
Tugendhat already had six points on his licence, for speeding offences which were sentenced in September 2021 and April 2020.
The judge imposed a further six points for the latest offence, plus the minimum six month ban for an offender who has reached 12 points on their licence.
Tugendhat was also ordered to pay a £1,000 fine plus £210 in costs and fees.
“I appreciate the frankness and the case being presented on your behalf in a very realistic way”, he said.
“It’s a serious offence - using a mobile phone in any way to make calls or use an application on them is a distraction.
“Without a doubt it impairs people’s ability to drive safely.”
After the Evening Standard broke the news of the prosecution, a spokesperson for the minister 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 the Home Office permanent secretary was informed about the offence when Tugendhat became a Minister in September.
