“If any of the other candidates can prove they’ve never had a driving conviction I will not stand” - pledges Norfolk police and crime commissioner candidate after speeding conviction

A businessman who was found guilty of a speeding offence said he will withdraw from the race to be Norfolk's first police and crime commissioner if other candidates can prove they have never had a driving conviction.

Mervyn Lambert, 64, was convicted of driving in excess of 30mph on Ipswich Road, a restricted road with a 30mph limit, after a trial at Norwich Magistrates Court.

Mr Lambert, who activated a static automatic camera device while driving his Mercedes at 36.7mph on September 11 last year, had his licence endorsed with three penalty points, was fined �175, ordered to pay a �15 victim surcharge and �620 costs following Tuesday's hearing.

The businessman, from Fen Street, Bressingham, near Diss, who runs his own plant hire, sales, rental and servicing firm, had indicated he would like to stand as a police and crime commissioner candidate in the elections in November.

A speeding conviction does not prohibit any candidate from standing in the elections and Mr Lambert, who described the court case as 'embarrassing', said he would still be standing.

But he said he would withdraw if Steve Morphew, Labour's candidate, or James Athill, who has been elected as the Conservative candidate, had never received a conviction for driving.

Mr Lambert, who argued the 30mph signs could not be seen, said: 'I'm going to appeal but in the meantime if any of the other candidates can prove they've never had a driving conviction I will not stand.'

peter.walsh@archant.co.uk