Tom Tugendhat has admitted using his phone while driving
(Picture: PA Wire)Security minister Tom Tugendhat says he was holding his mobile phone while driving but “not using it” when he was pulled over by police, a court has heard.
The Conservative MP, 49, broke the law on April 14 this year while at the wheel of his Skoda on Wandsworth High Street.
A police officer accused the politician of being caught using the map function on his phone for navigation.
But in entering a guilty plea, Tugendhat insisted: “I was holding my phone – not using it.”
“After the incident I took a course to refresh and correct my driving”, he said, in a written plea statement.
“I accept my responsibility and recognise my culpability.”
Tugendhat was convicted in a behind-closed-doors hearing at Bromley magistrates court on Tuesday, and now faces a possible driving ban.
He already had six points on his licence at the time of the incident, and is likely to now receive a further six points and trigger an automatic six-month driving ban.
Tugendhat has already indicated he does not want to attend court for the sentencing hearing, set for November 17 at Westminster magistrates court and likely to be in front of a senior District Judge due to his status as an MP.
The politician also sent the court a copy of his driving course report, in which an instructor praised him as a “well-balanced driver”, low risk, and someone who observes road rules and speed limits.
“Thomas does not come across as a fast driver who likes to rush”, said the instructor. “In fact, Thomas is very calm and handles situations accordingly.”
In court papers, the Met Police said Tugendhat, who ran for the Tory leadership this summer, tried to pay a fine over the incident when first contacted in April.
However the matter had to go to court as a driving ban was a possible outcome.
PC Joseph Robson said he was on patrol at just after 2.30pm in Wandsworth High Street when he spotted Tugendhat “using a handheld 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.
A spokesperson for Tom Tugendhat 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.
