Britain’s richest MP, Richard Benyon banned from driving for six months after being caught texting at the wheel
The Newbury MP didn’t turn up at court but admitted illegally using his mobile by sending a letter to the court
BRITAIN’S richest MP was given a six-month driving ban yesterday for texting at the wheel.
Richard Benyon, 57, was seen on his mobile while driving his black BMW.
He was given a warning by a cop on a bicycle after saying he had used it in only stationary traffic. But the officer then saw the Newbury MP carry on using “his thumb to send a text message” as he pulled away in Islington, North London.
Benyon, a property tycoon worth £110million, did not attend court but admitted illegally by letter using his phone. The former Army officer, of Theale, Berks, was fined £306 and given six penalty points.
But he already had six points on his licence for speeding offences in 2014 and 2015 so was given an instant road ban.
The former Under Secretary of State’s appeal against the totting up was rejected. After the sentence, he said: “I deeply regret my actions and entirely accept the verdict of the court.”