A UK Speeding Scandal Threatens a Political Crash

Those caught speeding in the UK usually get a choice between paying a fine and taking three points on their driver’s license, or taking a speed awareness course. The smart play is to do the course. So when she was caught speeding while still attorney general, Home Secretary Suella Braverman ticked that option.

So far, so relatable. In fact, a number of MPs and ministers have been caught speeding and had to accept the consequences. But Braverman allegedly wanted to avoid a media field-day around publicly appearing in the naughty room. Reports over the weekend said she asked a civil servant to help her dispatch the penalty without a group course. According to the reports, she was rebuffed, since the civil service code prevents them from acting on private matters or in a way that would be construed as party political. (When her political office was also unable to arrange for a private course, she gave up and took the points.)