Driving ban for Lib Dem peer who skipped red light

A Liberal Democrat peer disqualified from driving for the second time this year has said it was the best result he could have received.

Lord Tim Razzall admitted passing a red light and was handed a two-week discretionary disqualification at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier.

The 82-year-old, of Notting Hill, west London, was driving a Volkswagen Polo at the junction between Grosvenor Road and Chelsea Bridge Road, west London, on 13 March.

He said there had been heavy traffic on the Embankment and in such conditions "you don't necessarily react quickly enough to the light". In July he was disqualified for the same amount of time for speeding.

When asked to stand and enter his plea, the Lib Dems' former treasurer said: "Well I'm clearly guilty, yeah."

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Lord Razzall, who had no legal representation, that he would have received 14 days' disqualification in total for both offences if they had been dealt with together.

"So in effect Mr Razzall is, in a way, getting an extra 14 days' disqualification," he added.

Near the end of the hearing, Lord Razzall, said: "I'm just glad there is no press in the courtroom, unlike last time."

The chief magistrate looked towards the public gallery and said: "I think there is."

Before getting into a black cab, Lord Razzall told reporters: "It is slightly unfortunate that had this been taken into account before then I would not have been disqualified again."

Asked if he was pleased with the result, he said: "Well it's the best I could have, yeah."

"It was very heavy traffic, heavier than this," he said while gesturing to Marylebone Road outside the court.

"It's quite hard along the Embankment, you often, with heavy traffic, you know, you don't necessarily react quickly enough to the light."

He added: "I suspect I was driving to Holland Park along the Embankment."

Lord Razzall was ordered to pay £410 which includes a £200 fine.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]