Security Minister Tom Tugendhat has been banned from driving for six months after he was caught with his mobile phone in his hand while behind the wheel.
The Conservative MP for Tonbridge and Malling was apprehended by police in his Skoda 4×4 in Wandsworth on April 14.
Mr Tugendhat, who lives in Clapham, southwest London, appeared for a sentencing hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday wearing a blue tie and navy blue suit.
Prosecutor Geraldine Dickinson told the court he was stopped by police on Wandsworth High Street after an officer noticed his phone was in his left hand.
“He noticed the driver was using a cell phone,” she said.
The device was held in the driver’s left hand.
“He saw this for about 20 seconds in broad daylight.”
She said the officer confirmed that Mr Tugendhat was not using the phone to call emergency services.
“It was confirmed that they were using maps,” she said.
Defensively, Paul Morris said his client accepted that he would be banned from driving.
He offered no mitigation of “exceptional hardship” that would be caused by Mr Tugendhat’s driving ban.
Judge Jack McGarva said using a cell phone is a distraction.
“Using a cell phone is a distraction in any way,” he said.
“Without a doubt, it impairs people’s driving skills.
“I would expect you to set a good example for the rest of us.”
Mr Tugendhat received six penalty points on his driving license for the offence, in addition to the six he already had for two previous offences, leading to a six-month suspension.
In addition to the driving ban, the Minister of Security was fined £1,000.
He was also ordered to pay a £100 surcharge and costs of £110.
Mr Tugendhat, who previously stood up for Conservative Party leader, admitted the wrongdoing earlier this month but claimed he was holding his phone and not using it.
In a written plea of guilt to the Bromley Magistrates’ Court, which heard the case privately under the single justice procedure, the politician said: “I was holding my phone – I wasn’t using it.
“After the incident, I took a course to refresh and correct my driving.
“I have attached the result of the course. Please accept the course report.
“I accept my responsibility and acknowledge my guilt.”
The Metropolitan Police sent Mr Tugendhat a conditional offer of a fixed fine in April, and Mr Tugendhat agreed to pay the fine and surrender his driver’s license, according to court documents.
He also completed advanced driver training in May, where he was rated as low risk.
But the offense was sent to court for prosecution because of the six demerit points already on his driving record.