A heated radio phone in over the future of speeding crime boss Caroline Henry led to one caller hanging up. During Nick Ferrari's LBC show on Tuesday (July 19) morning, the host disagreed with a caller called Ian over whether Mrs Henry should continue in her role.
Ian called for 'less judgement' and for people to be sympathetic. He said: "It's a very biased position to take should she lose her job. What we need is more emphasis and less judgement, there should be more empathy in this country. People make mistakes - you can't have double standards and pile in on a poor lady in Nottingham. Boris Johnson has broken laws."
Nick then disputed Ian's point about comparisons with the outgoing PM Boris Johnson and Ian eventually hung up. A number of callers, however, said that Mrs Henry should resign from the post for not upholding the law.
READ MORE: The heartbreaking family struggles faced by Nottinghamshire PCC Caroline Henry who 'messed up'
It comes after the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire was caught speeding five times in the space of a four month period. Mrs Henry, 52, of Giltbrook was banned from driving for six months, handed a fine totalling £2,450, given 15 penalty points on her driving licence, an order to pay a victim surcharge of £190 and prosecution costs when she was sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Monday (July 18).
She was caught speeding in four locations around Nottinghamshire in March, May and June 2021 while she was still campaigning to be the new crime commissioner for the Conservative party as well as after she was elected to the role. Her lawyer pleaded exceptional hardship so Mrs Henry could keep her licence but the Judge banned her from driving and told her why speeding limits are important.
In an exclusive interview with Nottinghamshire Live, Mrs Henry, who is married to Broxtowe's Conservative MP Darren, spoke about the heartbreaking underlying family struggles they have been facing and admitted she had 'messed up'.
Other participants on Tuesday's LBC show rang in to call for her to resign from the position which scrutinises the performance of Nottinghamshire Police. Ben, who lives in Dover, said: "She should resign, there's no question.
"I'm a magistrate and I'm dealing with issues such as these. If I'm caught speeding, I'd be expected to resign from my position. Even if it's just one occurrence, I'd resign straight away. I don't know how anyone has not died on their sword yet - there is no credibility at all, it cannot work."
Anthony, who lives in Islington, London, said: "I deplore any person that exceeds speed, it's not acceptable. I did a course after being caught out doing 23mph in a 20mph zone in London, and it's my fault; I should have opened my eyes. I paid the price for it. Councils are making millions of pounds from parking and speed cameras."
Luke, who lives in Manchester, said: "She should leave. Once is a mistake, five times is a joke." Joe, who lives in Kent, said: "What sort of an example is this?"
Transport secretary Grant Schapps MP spoke on the show, too, and was asked for his thoughts on Mrs Henry continuing in her role going forward. Mr Schapps said: "I'm not familiar with the actual story itself, but, I have to say, from your description that does sound quite extreme for a police and crime commissioner.
"I'll leave it for others but I'd have thought, while not tracking that story, I think it is important that somebody who's in that position is seen to be upholding the law given they're in charge of the law." Mrs Henry has previously said she is resolute she will not resign, that she was elected by the people of Nottinghamshire and says she has a job to do. She said: "I love my job. I am delivering."
Mrs Henry, who was elected to the post in May 2021, campaigned for election using the slogan “Make Notts Safe” and promised to “reduce crime with action, not words”. On her official PCC website, she listed ensuring an “effective and efficient” police response to speeding as one of her priorities.
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