Harriet Harman prosecuted after crash 'while using phone'

Press Association

Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman faces prosecution for her involvement in a car smash in which she was allegedly using her mobile phone, the Crown Prosecution Service said tonight.

A court summons will be served on the MP for Camberwell and Peckham after a police probe into the crash in Dulwich, south-east London on the afternoon of 3 July.

Ms Harman is facing charges of driving without due care and attention and driving while using a hand-held mobile telephone, the CPS said.

A spokeswoman for Ms Harman said: "Ms Harman strongly refutes the allegations and will deny the charges."

Driving without due care and attention carries a maximum fine of £5,000 and an endorsement of up to nine points on your licence.

A CPS statement said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to prosecute the Rt Hon Harriet Harman MP for the offences of driving without due care and attention and driving whilst using a hand-held mobile telephone in relation to an incident on 3 July 2009 in Peckham, London.

"The Metropolitan Police Service provided papers to the CPS on 9 November 2009 which were reviewed by the Special Crime Division in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"An MPS employee will now attend a magistrates' court in order to obtain a summons to be served on Ms Harman."