Harman to be prosecuted

Harriet Harman, deputy leader of the Labour party, is to be prosecuted for two driving offences, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed.

Harman is accused of driving without due care and attention and using a hand-held mobile phone, and will receive a courts summons.

After the incident on July 3 in Peckham, London, in which Ms Harman is reported to have hit a parked car, the CPS has decided 'there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to prosecute'.

Press reports suggested that Ms Harman stopped at the scene and then drove off without leaving her details.

A spokesman for the MP for Camberwell and Peckham said: 'Miss Harman strongly refutes the allegations and will deny the charges.'

If magistrates find her guilty, Ms Harman could be fined up to 6000 for the offences, have penalty points put on her driving licence or even land a driving ban.

Labour introduced the law banning the use of hand-held phones while driving in 2003, when Ms Harman was Solicitor General.

Ms Harman was banned from driving and fined 400 in February 2003 for speeding at 99mph on a motorway. She was fined 60 and given three penalty points for speeding in 2007.