Spies set to be granted a ‘licence to speed’

The nation’s spies are to be given a “licence to speed” for the first time, under changes to motoring laws, by the Government.

Officers in MI5 and MI6 currently have to abide by the rules of the road even when national security is under threat. But that is all about to change with spies being given permission to put their foot on the accelerator pedal when necessary.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, is to hand them the same exemptions as police, fire and ambulance drivers, it has been revealed.

Spies will be able to break the speed limit once they have completed a training course in high-speed driving.

Vehicles used to carry organs for transplant, bomb disposal units, and mountain rescue teams are also set to be added to the list.

It is understood that 93 per cent of those who responded to a Department for Transport consultation on the issue backed extending the speeding exemption to those involved in “the protection of life and limb or national security.”

Among those to support the move were the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, which said it supported such exemptions where they would help save a life.

However, the society said it would only offer its support as part of legislative changes that also make it a requirement for drivers permitted to exceed the speed limit to undergo standardised safety training.