Tory MP fined over Parliament car crash

Simon Burns, a Tory Whip and MP for West Chelmsford, collided with Army Major Stuart Lane as he attempted to pull into Parliament Square in his Land Rover on the evening of April 3 last year on the way to pick up his son for a holiday.

Major Lane was thrown over the handlebars and broke two vertebrae, an injury that could hinder his military career, Westminster Magistrates Court was told.

Mr Burns, 56, pulled out of the Palace of Westminster exit gates with insufficient care even though he did not have a clear view of approaching traffic, the court heard.

"Having past through the gates, he brought his car to a halt at or near the kerb, his view was obscured by pedestrians and a lamp-post, since removed," District Judge Timothy Workman said.

"Although he told police he saw the road was clear, he was clearly mistaken. Unfortunately, at the point Mr Burns moved forward, it was across the path of the cyclist who then collided with the offside of Mr Burns's car.

"He should not have moved forward at the time the view was obscured."

Mr Burns has been an MP for 22 years, serving as shadow health minister between 2001 and 2005 before being appointed a Whip by David Cameron.

He could not be in court to hear his punishment yesterday because of parliamentary business, his lawyer Melanie Cumberland told the court.

She described the incident as a "misjudgement" and said that Mr Burns wished to express his regret for the injuries he had caused.

The MP pleaded guilty to careless driving and was told to pay a £400 fine and £200 in costs.