Not so Cleverly
Tory chairman accused of pranging car while using phone on motorway
TORY Party chairman James Cleverly was last night accused of causing an accident which damaged another car while he was speeding and using his phone on the M11.
The Braintree MP was branded a ‘liar’ and ‘dishonest’ by Asim Khan, who claimed that Mr Cleverly’s vehicle struck his silver car in the crash on August 16. Mr Cleverly denies he was on his phone or speeding.
Last week MPs called for a total ban on motorists making phone calls while driving, claiming that hands-free calls are as dangerous as holding a phone.
Mr Khan posted a video taken after the incident on Twitter which shows his damaged car as he asks Mr Cleverly to confirm his name for the camera, apparently for insurance purposes.
A blue Land Rover, which Mr Cleverly appears to have been driving, is behind Mr Khan’s car. Mr Cleverly points to the damaged car and asks the man recording the video for his details.
On Twitter Mr Khan wrote: ‘This guy James Cleverly is a dishonest and a liar of a person. He is not to be trusted. He hit my car on M11 while speeding and using his phone. At the scene he admitted it was his fault. He damaged my new car. When I contacted him he said he is not accepting liability. Shame on you.’
Screenshots of texts claimed to have been exchanged between the men show Mr Cleverly saying that he does not accept liability. Mr Khan replied: ‘You hit my car. While moving from middle lane to left lane and you don’t accept liability? It was your fault mate.’
Without a response, he added: ‘I am trying to be nice ... but you are now pushing it mate.’
Mr Cleverly reiterated his refusal to accept fault. Mr Khan replied: ‘It was your fault.’
The transport select committee said last week the law should be changed to bring in fines of at least points, £200, for alongside drivers who six penalty make hands-free Mr Khan calls. told the Left- wing news website Evolve Politics: ‘On 16th August around 19.40 I was going to Bishop Stortford. As I was taking the exit lane, a car moved from the middle lane into the left lane in front of me. I was forced to move slightly into the hard shoulder as the car was about to hit me. I saw the driver was on his phone and he didn’t see me. The left passenger side of the car hit my driver’s back side causing damage.’ Mr Cleverly’s spokesman denied that he was speeding or using his phone. ‘James was in a minor accident. The matter is being dealt with by his insurance company.’