Friday 2 November 2007

Shock! Horror! Government minister says sorry

Home Office minister Liam Byrne was fined £100 today with £30 costs and a £15 victim surcharge – eh? can someone explain to me what that is when it's at home – for being found guilty of using a mobile phone while driving.

He said:

Talking on a phone without a hands-free is wrong. I have apologised unreservedly to the court.

Is this a first? A government minister has ... APOLOGISED!

It's true that he attempted to claim that he was engaged in a jolly important call about deportation when he was pulled over.

But he has nonetheless said sorry.

I think I may have to go and lie down.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Victim surcharge: another govt. scam - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6431401.stm

All fines for criminal offences will carry an additional "victims surcharge" of £15, the Home Office has announced.
The levy will be added on top of every fine handed out in court for a criminal offence from 1 April.

It will be paid into a fund aimed at helping improve services for victims of crime, and will be fixed at a flat rate regardless of the size of the fine.

However, they will not apply to fixed penalty notices after earlier plans provoked an outcry from motorists.

The Creator said...

Thank you. I remember this now.

Another master-stroke by the government.