Dodgy Sue

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After being caught speeding, Mrs Braverman was offered the choice of either a fine and points on her driving licence, or a speed awareness course.
A government source told the BBC the senior minister had been "concerned" about her insurance premiums, and favoured doing a course.
She asked civil servants about arranging a course for just her, citing security concerns about doing one as part of a group, but was told it was not a matter for the civil service.
Mrs Braverman then asked a special adviser to try to arrange a one-on-one course.
When the course provider told her there was no option to do a private course - and after she was reappointed home secretary in Mr Sunak's government - she opted to pay the fine and accept the points because she was "very busy" and did not have the time to do a course, the BBC has been told.

So we have had Williamson, Raab, Suella, Zahawi all breaking ministerial code.
What's the issue here? She did nothing wrong other than the speeding offence.
 
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She sped. No problem.
She wanted to do the SA course. No problem.
Obviously that would be a problem for HER as she'd get hassled but the hoi poloi while doing it, either in person or on line. (Online people could video their screens etc)
There would also be a problem with a security detail.
She asked if there could be a private course. No, but No problem.
Presumably then she asked if something could be arranged. Not necessarily a problem if she was just told no.
Possibly she pressed a bit, or a lot.
No special consideration given or taken, but
...........under the ministerial code, if it appears that she was seeking special treatment, that could be a breach.

Ministers get all sorts of concessions, so I don't think it's anything to make a noise about.
I bet if they dug into labour party concessions they'd find something equally "egregious".

She should have asked her private sec what was normally done. Maybe she did.
 
There is a well known trick to avoid doing the course and the points and she could have, but chose not to use it. She could have booked on to the course and then failed to turn up, giving the police no time to present the prosecution within the time limit.

What are the time limits? I'd have thought they would have created them in such a way that this loophole could be avoided. I've been trying to work them out. As far as I can Google, the police have 6 months to start the prosecution from the date of the alleged offence, but you only have 4 months to attend the course. If that is true, isn't there still plenty of time to start the prosecution.

There is nothing in law that prevents a private course being arranged. There is also nothing in law that prevents protection if you attend. Though in most cases the offence would have timed out.

No legislation preventing someone from attending a private Speed Awareness course - she absolutely could have done this. Its likely she asked the wrong person.

How common is a private course?
 
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Yes, but then again I'm not someone looking for issues in everything the government does, says or thinks.

I think the problem is a potential abuse of power. If she had simply asked her own solicitor to try to arrange a private course, that would be OK. But asking officials, in the department responsible for law enforcement, to arrange it for her, is where it gets problematic.
 
When I did a speed awareness course we we're told that we would go out with a assessor who was a trained driving instructor and then go into the classroom and do the theory and then go out again with the same trained driving instructor and we were told that if we didn't show any signs of improvement in our driving technique then we would get the three points on our licence anyway and have to pay the fee for the speed awareness course.
 
When I did a speed awareness course we we're told that we would go out with a assessor who was a trained driving instructor and then go into the classroom and do the theory and then go out again with the same trained driving instructor and we were told that if we didn't show any signs of improvement in our driving technique then we would get the three points on our licence anyway and have to pay the fee for the speed awareness course.
How? There were 2 dozen in my group. Driving technique? For speeding?
 
When I did a speed awareness course we we're told that we would go out with a assessor who was a trained driving instructor and then go into the classroom and do the theory and then go out again with the same trained driving instructor and we were told that if we didn't show any signs of improvement in our driving technique then we would get the three points on our licence anyway and have to pay the fee for the speed awareness course.
Both Mrs mottie and I have done speed awareness courses. No driving was involved, just classroom talks and videos. The MIL was offered a course or a fine when she had an accident. That did involve a bit of driving. Don’t know what it was for, it wasn’t speeding - she reversed out of her drive too fast and caused an accident. Maybe it’s that type of course you are thinking about?

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It was this course she went on.

SCD (Safe and Considerate Driving Course) - 6 hours 55 minutes​

Clients are referred to Safe and Considerate Driving if they are involved in a collision. The course increases clients’ awareness and understanding of:

  • the causes and negative consequences of risky and inconsiderate driving;
  • the importance of concentration, observation, anticipation and allowing adequate space and time;
  • the reasons why their own driving may be unsafe or inconsiderate.
The first part of the course is spent in a venue and it involves information on road signs, road markings and traffic rules, discussion and reflection on the distractions and pressures people face on the road and how to manage them. The second part of the course is spent out on the road with a qualified driving instructor (ADI) where clients receive practical, personalised, on-road coaching, and are encouraged to create an action plan to address personally relevant issues.

Another of our friends parents was offered the same course when she put her car through the window/doors of our local Tesco Express when she hit the accelerator instead of the brake in an automatic. She decided she'd had enough of driving and surrendered her license!
 
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