In a surprising turn of events, the rail minister was recently found to have been using his mobile phone while driving a vintage double-decker bus through London during rush hour. Lord Peter Hendy, who was behind the wheel of the old Routemaster for a charity event, was caught texting a friend during the drive, as reported by the Sunday Times.
A spokesperson for Lord Hendy issued a statement acknowledging the mistake, stating, “Last month Peter Hendy used his phone while driving. He has apologized in full for this error of judgment and has contacted the police.” It is expected that Lord Hendy will face a penalty of six points on his license and a fine for his actions.
The incident occurred on March 28th, amidst the evening rush hour traffic. Lord Hendy was reportedly texting a friend about a prostate cancer test while conducting a tour in the bus, which he personally owns. The tour was part of a fundraiser for the charity Railway Benefit Fund, of which Lord Hendy serves as a patron. However, a passenger on the bus reported the incident to the police just days later.
This is not the first instance of a government minister being caught using a phone while driving, as in a similar case in 2022, security minister and Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat was banned from driving for six months after being caught using his device behind the wheel. Tugendhat faced additional penalties including points on his license, fines, and surcharges. The Metropolitan Police have been contacted by the BBC for further comments on the matter
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