by The Commentator on 5 April 2013 11:49

Labour Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has admitted to a speeding misdemenour which resulted in a speed awareness class and a fine for the Member of Parliament for Morley and Outwood.

Just last month, Balls told Sky News, "The law is the law" with regard to Chris Huhne's recent conviction for perverting the course of justice around a speeding misdemeanour.

Writing on his blog today, Balls said:

"This week I saw again, first hand, how important reducing speed is to saving children’s lives. Not, this time, by talking to local parents and teachers, but instead in the conference room at the Garforth Holiday Inn.

Like many local people, I was caught out by the never-ending roadworks on the M62. Pulling on to the motorway at Morley I realised too late that the speed restrictions were still in place. I was caught and bang to rights – doing 56 in a 50 mile restriction zone. Going too far, too fast, you might say.

I paid my fine and chose to attend a speed awareness course. I currently have no points on my licence and would like to keep it that way. Which is why, this week, I ended up in the Holiday Inn with 39 others."

In 2010, Balls was fined £60 after using his mobile phone in his car. After he was caught, Balls remarked, "It was a fair cop". He added: "Of course I am sorry about it. It was a stupid thing to do."

The news comes shortly after the conviction of former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne, who was caught speeding and perverting the course of justice by allow his then wife to take his speeding points. Huhne resigned over the affair that led to his prison sentence.