A Tory MP has been fined £400 for careless driving after knocking over an army major and breaking his neck.

Major Stewart Lane was sent flying from his bicycle outside the Houses of Parliament last April when Conservative Whip and MP for West Chelmsford struck him with his Land Rover.

The solider went over his handlebars, smashing his head on the front of the 56-year-old's 4x4 and breaking two of his vertebrae.

Westminster magistrates' court heard yesterday that Burns, a former shadow health minister, pulled out with insufficient care. The MP pleaded guilty and, as well as the fine, had to pay £200 court costs and got four penalty points.