The former president of the UK Police Superintendents' Association who once condemned police officers who refused to accept responsibility for speed camera citations has himself refused to accept responsibility for a speed camera citation. Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate's BMW was photographed racing through Gateshead at 45 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. Lord Mackenzie argued that he did not know who had been behind the wheel at the time of the offense, so prosecutor dropped the charges last week.

The London Evening Standard newspaper reported that, in 2001, the former top police official had a different view of speed camera ticket recipients who denied knowledge of the real driver's identity. Cleveland police chief Adrian Roberts had been let out of a ticket after he used that excuse.

"To the public it must appear as if Cleveland police are indulging in insider trading," Roberts said at the time. "Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done and for that to happen there has to be an element of independence in the investigation. The force is running the risk of creating a perception that there is one rule for the general public and another for Cleveland police officers."