John Prescott gets driving ban for six months for speeding

Former British politician John Prescott has been banned from driving for six months after he was caught speeding in his Jaguar.

Grantham Magistrates Court confirmed the former deputy prime minister lost his licence at a hearing last month after he accumulated more than 12 penalty points.

Lord Prescott – who earned the nickname "two Jags" because of his love of upmarket cars – was caught by a police speed gun on the A15 at Scampton in Lincolnshire. He was doing 60mph in a 50mph limit and this incurred the three penalty points that pushed him over the threshold.

The latest offence happened on the evening of August 11th last year.

As well as the ban the peer was fined £250, ordered to pay £85 costs and a £25 victim surcharge at the hearing on May 26th.

Lord Prescott has been caught speeding a number of times and was banned before, for 21 days in 1991, when was caught doing 105mph on the M1.

On Monday he has explained that his latest infringement was late at night as he was heading home to Hull after helping his son David move house.

However the former Hull East MP said there was no excuse, especially as he had been involved in introducing anti-speeding legislation.

He said he has been using public transport to get around or relying on lifts.