Diplomat gets $90 speeding ticket

Press, 28 July 1989, Page 6

Diplomat gets $90 speeding ticket

PA Auckland The British diplomat _ who claimed diplomatic * immunity when caught speeding on the Southern Motorway will tye.; fined $9O, Superintendent Dick Waters, of the Ministry of Transport, said. A standard speeding ticket had already been mailed to the diplomat. “We are treating this in the same way we would treat any other member of the public," said Mr Waters. Mr Keith Oliver, viceconsul in charge of immigration and administration at the British Consulate in Auckland, was caught driving at 120 km/ h near the Mt Wellington interchange about 11 p.m. on Wednesday. After being asked to take a breath test, he told traffic officers he was claiming diplomatic immunity and asked for the police to be called. The police were called at Mr Oliver’s request once he produced his credentials . Chief Inspector John Perring, of Newmarket,

said a police sergeant was called to drive the diplomat home. “I believe there was good cause to suspect he had consumed alcohol, and under normal circumstances that would have justified us taking a breath test at the roadside. He wasn’t tested because he claimed diplomatic immunity, which he was entitled to do.” Both the police and the Ministry of Transport will submit reports on the incident to the Ministry of External Relations and' Trade in Wellington. An External Relations spokesman, Mr Hugo Judd, said last evening all foreign diplomats were expected to pay traffic fines if charged with a traffic offence. The matter will also be referred to the British Foreign Office, which will decide what action, if any, to take against the diplomat. The man involved says he regrets speeding. “It’s just one of those things. They happen, you know. Everybody dashes

a bit now and then, and that’s the way it goes.” Mr Oliver said he had been at a private function and was driving home to Pakuranga to telephone the Foreign Office about the arrival of his successor who is due in New Zealand this week-end. He will leave for a new diplomatic post in Turkey in two weeks. The transfer was arranged two months ago. “I very much regret this,” Mr Oliver said. “I didn’t realise I was speeding. You are driving along the motorway and it (speed) just creeps up on you.” Mr Oliver said that before driving home he had drunk three glasses of beer and two glasses of wine over three hours. “I would have been safe to drive. I understand the importance of speeding.. “I had a very good friend killed by somebody speeding, so I understand the importance of keeping to the speed limit.” The British Consul-Gen-eral, Mr Malcolm Creek, said he deeply regretted the incident.