Police authority boss caught speeding

Date published: 07 December 2007

The chairman of the Greater Manchester Police authority has been caught speeding.

Councillor Paul Murphy, who represents Moston ward on Manchester City Council, was clocked on a speed camera in Alan Turing Way, Manchester, doing 40mph in a 30mph zone.

He chose to attend a speed awareness course rather than receive points on his licence.

The news has come to light as one of Britain’s most senior policeman faces calls to resign after he was banned from driving for speeding.

Meredydd Hughes, the chief constable of South Yorkshire, was travelling at 90mph on a 60mph stretch of the A5 in North Wales in May.

Chief constable Hughes (49) is the former head of roads policing for the Association of Chief Police Officer and has called for less conspicuous speed cameras. It was the third time he had been caught speeding.

Councillor Murphy, who was caught four months ago, said: "I broke the speed limit and that is not acceptable.

"The law applies to everyone and that includes police officers, police staff and people involved in police-related organisations such as police authorities.

"It’s quite right that I had to attend a course or receive penalty points. I hope my experience proves that no-one is above the law and encourages motorists to drive responsibly."

Councillor Murphy, from Moston, attended the speed awareness course, which costs around £90, in Bury in mid-November. Topics covered include concentration, observation, knowledge of speed limits and vehicle handling.

"I felt some trepidation not knowing what to really expect but the day turned out to be a real success.

"The course provides participants with an honest assessment of their driving ability," he added.