Spies given licence to speed

Secret agents are to be given the right to speed when behind the wheel, under changes of the law expected to be announced today.

Currently, MI5 and MI6 officers have to stick to the rules of the road, even when national security is under threat.

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However, new plans to be announced by transport minister Robert Goodwill will give spies the same exemptions as emergency services.

The law will also exempt bomb disposal units, mountain rescue teams and vehicles carrying organs for transplant from sticking to speed limits.

What’s more, they will have the same legal rights as the police to pass through red lights, drive over zebra crossings and ignore road markings – but only once they’ve passed a course in high-speed driving,

The changes come after a Department for Transport consultation paper found that 93% of respondents agreed with the proposals.

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By motoringresearch.com