Ed Balls will accept charge for failing to stop after car accident
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Version 0 of 1. Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor, has said he will accept a charge for failing to stop at the scene of a car accident without informing the owner. In a post on his blog, the senior Labour politician said he will not fight prosecution and expects to accept points on his licence after bumping into a car outside his constituency office. However, there is a chance he could lose his licence or face a fine. It is the fourth time in recent years that Balls has got in trouble while behind the wheel. Last year, he received three points for driving through a red light while on the Embankment in London. He was also caught speeding in West Yorkshire and paid a fine and attended a speed awareness course rather than accepting penalty points. In 2010, Balls admitted "stupidity" after being caught talking on his mobile phone while driving. A cabinet minister at the time, he was fined £60 and given three points on his licence. The police have yet to take a final decision on whether to proceed with the charge but it is usual in cases where the prosecution is not contested. Even if he pleads guilty, Balls could have to appear before magistrates. "Another car was parked close by and I was aware the two bumpers touched. But I had no idea any damage had been done until the police got in touch a week later," he wrote. "As soon as I was aware any damage had been done, I immediately took full responsibility for any damage caused. I've been in touch with the owner to apologise for the inconvenience and to pay for the repair to the marks on the parked car's bodywork. "The police have to do their job. Once I'd confirmed I knew the bumpers had touched, their standard approach is to proceed to charge as they expect people to stop and check. "I fully understand and accept that, so of course I will be accepting the charge. "While I had no knowledge at the time that any damage had occurred, I accept their view that I should have checked. Getting points on my licence will be a blow – but that's the way it works." The offence of failing to stop after an accident can mean five to 10 penalty points, a fine of up to £5,000 or, in the most serious cases, a jail sentence of up to six months. Balls is understood to have three points on his licence currently – so would only be in line for a ban if he were to end up with 12 or more. Sergeant Adrian Wright, of West Yorkshire police eastern area roads policing unit, said: "Our investigation into a fail-to-stop collision on Commercial Street, Morley, on Saturday 5 April, is continuing. "No one has been summonsed for any offences at this time." |