James Bond Star in Court for Minor Speeding Offence
The actor Colin Salmon, best known for playing MI6 deputy Charles Robinson opposite Judi Dench's M in three James Bond films, found himself in an unlikely legal drama this week. The 64-year-old star of EastEnders and Prime Suspect appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court in South-West London over a traffic violation.
His crime? Driving at 24 miles per hour in a 20mph zone at 7.17am. He was behind the wheel of his ageing 1.3 litre Suzuki Wagon R at the time. The case has provoked fierce criticism, being labelled a monstrous waste of court time and taxpayer money in a city grappling with serious violent crime.
A Punitive System Targeting Motorists?
The prosecution of such a minor infraction has been held up as emblematic of a draconian war on motorists in the capital. Critics argue that while resources are stretched for investigating knife crime and sexual offences, disproportionate effort is expended on penalising responsible drivers for tiny breaches.
Salmon, a respected figure within his local community in North Kensington and a dedicated charity campaigner, was ultimately given a fine and allowed to keep his licence. The decision acknowledged his reliance on his vehicle, especially given his recent hip replacement and his wife Fiona's serious health condition. She suffers from interstitial lung disease and recently underwent a double lung transplant.
A Wider Pattern of Controversial Enforcement
This is not an isolated incident. In 2022, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was fined and given penalty points for driving at 25mph in a 20mph zone near Lambeth Palace. The proliferation of traffic cameras and ever-changing local road rules has created a system many feel is designed to generate revenue rather than improve safety.
Transport for London (TfL) reported making nearly £90 million from penalty charges on red routes in 2024, with over £360 million collected from congestion charge penalties. The expansion of 20mph zones across London, and an attempted wider rollout in Wales, has been deeply unpopular with many drivers who argue the limits are often arbitrary and frustratingly slow.
Meanwhile, the rise of uninsured, unlicensed electric bikes and scooters—often travelling well over 20mph in dedicated lanes—highlights a perceived imbalance in enforcement. The case of Colin Salmon has become a focal point for public frustration, questioning whether the relentless pursuit of minor traffic violations represents a perversion of justice when more severe crimes plague communities.
