Harman banned from driving

Solicitor General Harriet Harman was banned from driving for seven days and fined £400 after admitting speeding at 99mph on a motorway.

North Wiltshire Magistrates Court in Chippenham heard how the MP for Camberwell and Peckham was driving on the westbound carriageway of the M4 near Swindon, Wiltshire, on January 8 this year when she was stopped by police.

Prosecutor Colin Meeke told the court that a laser speed detector had recorded her speed at 99mph in a 70mph zone.

Ms Harman was said to be taking her son back to Bristol University after the Christmas break when the incident happened.

Representing Ms Harman in her absence, defending solicitor Tim Dixon said: "Ms Harman is of course extremely sorry that she exceeded the speed limit and she does not seek to make any excuse for the offence.

"She was travelling in the outside lane when she approached and overtook a gaggle of HGV vehicles, she thought she was adhering to the speed limit."

Mr Dixon said his client had been driving for 26 years without incident and the court heard she had a full and clean driving licence.

Ms Harman was extremely sorry and also added police had been very courteous to her, Mr Dixon said.

She was disqualified with immediate effect for seven days, fined £400 and ordered to pay £35 costs.

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