Tory peer speed let-off

A Conservative peer has escaped a speeding ban despite admitting driving at 113mph on a dual carriageway.

Lord Howard, 63, already had two speeding convictions when he was caught on the A47 in Norfolk in February 2005. But magistrates in King’s Lynn decided not to ban him after Howard argued it would cause hardship for the charities he works for.

Instead, the Lord was eventually fined £470 with six points added to his licence, bringing it to a total of 12. This would ordinarily have led to a six month ban.

Lord Howard is a landowner, councillor with King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, and chairman of the National playing Fields Association.