A second driving ban for Lord Tim Razzall has followed his admission that he drove through a red light in west London, an outcome the Liberal Democrat peer said was the best possible result.
The 82 year old appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier, where he accepted the offence and received a two week discretionary disqualification. The incident took place on 13 March at the junction of Grosvenor Road and Chelsea Bridge Road.
Lord Tim Razzall driving ban proceedings heard that he was driving a Volkswagen Polo at the time. The peer, who lives in Notting Hill, said traffic conditions played a role in the incident.
He told the court there had been heavy congestion on the Embankment and said that in such circumstances “you don’t necessarily react quickly enough to the light”.
When asked to stand and enter his plea, the former Liberal Democrat treasurer said: “Well I’m clearly guilty, yeah.”
The court was told that this was his second driving disqualification of the year. In July, he was also banned for two weeks after being caught speeding.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring explained that had both offences been dealt with at the same time, the total period of disqualification would have been 14 days. He told the court: “So in effect Mr Razzall is, in a way, getting an extra 14 days’ disqualification.”
Lord Tim Razzall driving ban remarks continued near the end of the hearing when the peer commented on the level of media interest. He said: “I’m just glad there is no press in the courtroom, unlike last time.”
The chief magistrate responded by looking towards the public gallery and saying: “I think there is.”
After leaving the court, Lord Razzall spoke to reporters before getting into a black cab. He said: “It is slightly unfortunate that had this been taken into account before then I would not have been disqualified again.”
Asked whether he was satisfied with the outcome, he said: “Well it’s the best I could have, yeah.”
He again referred to traffic conditions, gesturing towards Marylebone Road outside the court. “It was very heavy traffic, heavier than this,” he said.
“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.”
In addition to the driving ban, Lord Razzall was ordered to pay £410, which included a £200 fine.
