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Councillor fined for attending Zoom meeting while driving lorry

Brown stepped down from his cabinet role days after he attended the virtual meeting. (SWNS/Boston Borough Council)
Brown stepped down from his cabinet role days after he attended the virtual meeting. (SWNS/Boston Borough Council)

A councillor who attended a meeting on Zoom while driving a lorry has been fined £200.

Conservative David Brown was behind the wheel of a HGV when he sat in on the virtual cabinet meeting at Boston Borough Council in September.

Despite him comparing it to people who “twiddle with car radios”, Norfolk Constabulary investigated the incident and handed him the fixed penalty notice, with the councillor also receiving six points on his licence.

Brown quit his responsibility for tourism, arts and culture on the council cabinet days after the meeting, which was live-streamed and posted to Youtube.

He was seen sitting driving with his seatbelt on and occasionally readjusting his device.

David Brown took part in a council meeting as he sat at the wheel. (SWNS/Boston Borough Council)
David Brown took part in a council meeting as he sat at the wheel. (SWNS/Boston Borough Council)
Brown was seen in a HGV cab as he attended the virtual cabinet meeting. (SWNS)
Brown was seen in a HGV cab as he attended the virtual cabinet meeting. (SWNS)

A force spokesperson for Norfolk Constabulary said: “Norfolk police have investigated an incident where a man was seen to be using a mobile phone whilst driving on the A10 on Wednesday, September 9, 2020.

“Following a review of the evidence a fixed penalty notice was issued to the driver which resulted in a £200 fine and six points on the driver’s licence.”

Brown, who represents Kirton and Frampton ward in Lincolnshire, previously said: “I regret it, and I regret that I’ve been vilified on social media with negative comments.

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“How far do people want to push people for being a councillor?”

He said he could prove he was in a lay-by during the meeting, but admitted he had driven at one point, when he was only listening.

“What’s the difference between listening to that and your car radio?” he continued.

“People twiddle with car radios and what have you, what’s the difference?”

A spokesperson for Boston Borough Council said no further comment would be made.

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