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Today's revelation that Deputy Prime Minister Harriet Harman will face a car smash charge may knock her hopes of a political dynasty. In the same week her Equality bill was aired in the Queens Speech it will be interesting to see how equal the law handles her latest alleged motoring indiscretion. The news that the Crown Prosecution Service will prosecute comes at a delicate time for 'Team Harman' as they try to manoeuvre her husband into a safe Labour seat. Jack Dromey, treasurer of the Labour Party and deputy general secretary of Unite trade union, who some say now control the party, could be parachuted into Leyton and Wanstead, which has a majority of more than 7,000. It also helps that he is Harriet Harman’s husband, or maybe not now! The constituency was left open after Labour's Harry Cohen announced he was stepping down when it was discovered he designated a converted schoolhouse in Colchester as his main residence and claimed £100,000 in second home expenses for a property in Leyton - despite being only nine miles from Parliament. Local party activists are unhappy at the prospect of having the spouse of a high profile cabinet member imposed on them. There are already worries a selection row could damage their chances as they face a strong Conservative candidate in Ed Northover.
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After this week’s shenanigans of the 'Turnip Taliban' in south-west Norfolk - central offices at all parties may think twice before unloading preferred candidates on safe seats - especially if there is a spousal 'indiscretion'. The local office went bananas after discovering married Elizabeth Truss had an affair with married Tory MP Mark Field. While Harman's alleged offence is well known, it will do Jack Dromey's political ambitions in East London no favours. Though Truss did eventually get the nomination. The Leyton seat is the only one of the capital’s 73 MP posts where Labour has not yet chosen a candidate - the decision has been postponed until the New Year, prompting fears the final call will be left until the very last minute to force Dromey in. Greg Elgin, the constituency chairman, says he would feel "somewhat aggrieved" if that happened. Past motoring indiscretions Harman is not without track record on the road. Driving organisations were fuming after she was fined just £400 and banned from the road for seven days after being caught speeding at 99mph on the M4 near Swindon in January, 2004. That fine was issued just as it was announced that court fines should be more closely linked to offenders' incomes. The Camberwell and Peckham MP admitted that offence but "strongly refutes" driving without due care and attention whilst using a mobile phone in July this year. The resulting car prang in Dulwich could see her landed with a maximum fine of £5,000 and an endorsement of up to nine points on your licence. She was also fined £60 and given three penalty points for exceeding a temporary speed limit in Suffolk in April 2007. The maximum penalties for driving while using a mobile phone are a £1,000 fine and a licence endorsement of three points. The law banning driving with a mobile phone was introduced in 2003 when Ms Harman was the Solicitor General. She should know the punishment, after studying politics at York University, Ms Harman qualified as a lawyer and went on to be Legal Officer at the National Council for Civil Liberties.
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