Wendy Cook, as an addendum to her decision to withdraw her MP candidacy, included this clarification notice, around her drink driving offences, to correct any factual inconsistencies in reports or sites. In her words – Ed.
There was no other moving traffic offences, not mentioned or not pursued.
First
I was stopped the first time for not having my headlights on at 5.20 pm, in Elm Lane and stopped immediately. I blew 42 in breath, two points over the limit for prosecution and seven points over the legal limit for driving.
Second
On the second occasion I blew 67 in breath following dinner with friends and being reported by a local person in the Sun Inn at Hulverstone with whom I have a civil dispute.
I was stopped immediately and was taken to Newport Police Station. I offer no excuses for my behaviour as there would be none to justify the conduct.
There were strong elements of mitigation which are personal to me and to my family which I would prefer to remain private for their sakes rather than mine.
Correction of CP
The sentence was in actual fact 46 months and I was offered the opportunity to take the Driving awareness course, which I will naturally do which affords a quarter reduction on the disqualification taking it below three years.
I did not ask the County Press to correct their error as I felt the offences were the important issue not the mistake as to sentence.
Bereavement counselling
Following this incident I was also given a full psychiatric assessment and as a consequence
have accepted the offer of bereavement counselling I should have accepted a long time ago.
I am only thankful that my inexcusable behaviour did not cause any harm to anyone else.
Wendy Cook
Image: West Midland Police under CC BY 2.0
