Zac Goldsmith banned after speeding seven times

Former environment minister Zac Goldsmith has been banned from driving for a year after he was caught speeding seven times in 2023.

The Conservative peer, 49, broke speed limits in his hybrid electric Volkswagen Golf on London roads in Paddington, Chelsea and Twickenham between April and November last year.

He was also caught speeding on two motorways, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

Goldsmith admitted all of the offences.

The court heard that in April last year, Goldsmith was caught driving at 29mph in a 20mph zone on Chelsea Embankment, and in July he drove at 28mph in a 20mph zone near Kensington Gardens.

In May, August and November of the same year, he broke the 40mph limit on the A316 in Twickenham by twice driving at 46mph and once at 47mph.

He was also caught driving at 62mph in a 50mph zone at the M25 intersection with the M3 in December, and at 73mph between junctions 20 and 19 of the M4 in September - breaking a 50mph temporary speed limit.

As District Judge Daniel Sternberg disqualified the Tory environmentalist from driving, he warned that drivers who speed "emit more harmful emissions" even in hybrid and electric cars.

The former MP for Richmond Park, who unsuccessfully ran to be London mayor in 2016 before serving as a minister in Boris Johnson's cabinet, did not attend the hearing.

He was also fined £5,500, and ordered to pay a surcharge of £2,000 and costs of £700.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk