Singer apologises over ‘flippant’ tweets over ban after speeding
FORMER WESTLIFE singer Brian McFadden has apologised for now-deleted “flippant” tweets complaining about his driving ban for speeding.
McFadden was criticised by Huddersfield-based national road safety charity Brake after he complained about the penalty he was given and dismissed claims about how speeding impacts victims.
After one of his Twitter followers pointed out the difference in survival rates when a driver is going at 30mph or 40mph, he replied in a now-deleted message: “Then I’ll make sure I’m doing 50 so I definitely won’t have to listen to this.”
A spokesman for the charity said: “Driving over the speed limit is selfish, dangerous and puts lives at risk.
“To make such a comment about speeding is irresponsible and disrespectful to the memories of those who have lost their lives to a speeding driver and their bereaved families.”
In a series of now-deleted tweets, the singer complained about his ban, calling it a joke.
He wrote: “Just left court in Nottingham. I was Clocked doing 39 in a 30 zone. 6 month suspension and £450 fine. Drink diver crashed his car he got 12 months and an £85 fine.
“As far as driving to my gigs the prosecution suggested I tweet my followers for a life! Joke.”
He told another follower that he had hit the 12-point ceiling on his licence and all the other infractions were for speeding.
A spokeswoman for McFadden said: “He apologises for any offence his Twitter comments may have caused.
“He was only making them relative to his own experience, which didn’t involve anyone else and of course in hindsight realises that families whose lives have been affected by speeding drivers would feel strongly about this and apologises to them for his flippant remarks.
“He also adds that he has learnt his lesson on this occasion and will definitely be more careful on the road when he’s back on it in six months.”