Ban for MP who broke law days after poll

Yasmin Qureshi, the MP for Bolton South East, was spotted using a mobile phone while driving and when stopped by police was also found to have no car insurance, Bolton Magistrates' Court heard.

The former barrister and human rights lawyer had been elected as the town's new MP on May 6 but four days later was caught by police while driving through the town talking into her mobile.

The Labour MP, who was not in court, apologised to magistrates through her solicitor who said she would now have the "inconvenience" of having to use taxis and public transport.

Howard Sloane, prosecuting, told the court that at about 2.45pm on May 10 a police officer spotted her Vauxhall Astra driving in Wigan Road, Bolton.

"He could clearly see the driver had a mobile telephone in her right hand and was speaking into it," he told JPs.

Qureshi, 47, was stopped and asked if she had any reason to be using her phone, to which she replied: "No."

She was found to have no insurance, Mr Sloane added, as her policy had elapsed on April 9.

The policy was then renewed at 4.05pm the day she had been stopped, the court heard.

Mr Sloane said the MP was already on nine points on her licence when she was caught.

She had a previous offence of using her mobile phone while driving dating from May 25 2008 and two speeding offences, one in 2007 and another last year.

"The mobile telephone offence would push that up to 12 points, which makes her subject to a totting disqualification," Mr Sloane added.

Ajmal Hussain, defending, said the MP had not deliberately avoided paying for insurance.

Qureshi was also fined 950 for driving with no insurance and 300 for the mobile phone offence.