Labour’s rail minister has referred himself to police after being caught texting behind the wheel of his double-decker bus during a charity event in central London.
Baron Hendy of Richmond Hill was reportedly seen using his mobile phone to text a friend while driving his vintage Routemaster bus during a fundraising tour on March 28.
Confirming the incident, a spokesman for Lord Hendy said: “Last month, Peter Hendy used his phone while driving. He has apologised in full for this error of judgment and has contacted the police.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they had received a report concerning the incident. A spokesperson said: “Police received a report on March 31 of a man aged in his 70s using his mobile phone while driving a vehicle.
“The incident is alleged to have taken place near Paddington Station at approximately 17:00 on March 28. As there was insufficient evidence to progress the case, the investigation was filed.
“The Met has since been provided with further information regarding the incident. The investigation has been reopened and inquiries continue.”
Lord Hendy has not been charged in connection with the incident.
The Railway Family Fundraiser, organisers of the charity tour, expressed disappointment that the incident had overshadowed what they described as a “positive and enjoyable event”.
A spokesman for the fundraiser said: “For the last three years, the fundraiser has concluded with a special tour of London on his Routemaster bus, donated and conducted by Lord Hendy.
“The fundraiser has always been grateful to Lord Hendy, both in his time as chairman of Network Rail and more recently as rail minister, for the time he volunteered to support this, and the event has always been popular among supporters, and a positive event.
“The complainant did not make a formal complaint to any of the organisers about this issue, nor did he share any evidence.
“Since then, the organisers have only had one conversation from the complainant in the form of a text message, which he sent on April 2, where he informed us that he’d reported Lord Hendy to the Metropolitan Police.”
They added that they do not “advocate or condone unsafe practices”, and reiterated their thanks to Lord Hendy for his continued support.
Lord Hendy regularly conducts charity tours aboard his own vintage Routemaster, raising more than £100,000 for various charities over the past years. His fundraising activities include guided tours around central London, which have previously been described as “an enlightening evening, touring the Square Mile”.
Lord Hendy was appointed as rail minister in July. Previously, he served as chairman of Network Rail and was a commissioner for Transport for London (TfL). He started his career as a graduate trainee at London Transport, later becoming managing director of London bus company CentreWest during the 1980s. He was appointed to the House of Lords in 2022.
The incident follows a similar case involving Tom Tugendhat, then-security minister, who received a six-month driving ban in 2022 after being caught using his mobile phone behind the wheel.
Lord Hendy currently has three penalty points on his driving licence, which are due to expire this July.
