‘Mr Loophole’ lawyer calls for changes to drink-driving legislation

A renowned lawyer, known as ‘Mr Loophole’ due to his ability to get high profile clients out of trouble, has called for changes to drink-driving legislation.

Famous – or perhaps, infamous – lawyer, Nick Freeman has launched an attack on government policy regarding the current drink-driving limits and has called for changes to legislation. This is despite running a website which explains the most effective methods of defending yourself against accusations of drink driving.

Having represented celebrities such as Coronation Street star Barbara Knox, Mr Freeman has garnered a reputation for aiding high profile clients to avoid prosecution. He has suggested that the 50th anniversary of the first UK drink-driving ban this year would have been an ideal opportunity to make amendments to a law he considers unfair and ineffective. Instead, he sees it as an opportunity missed.

Mr Freeman said: ‘While screening adverts has played a role in changing people’s behaviour, it is only the screening of motorists for a far lower drink-drive limit – wedded to the introduction of random breath tests – that will ultimately make our roads safer.

‘The anniversary presented a timely opportunity for triggering debate on the far-reaching benefits of introducing a lower drink-drive limit – but the government has failed to grasp it.

‘The limit needs to be brought in line with most of Europe, which has a limit of 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, though countries such as Greece, Sweden, Poland and Norway go much further.’

This stand may come as a surprise when one considers the content of Mr Freeman’s website, which advises drink drivers on how to avoid convictions. He defends his position, saying it is an especially technical area of the law and the behaviours and procedures of police officers can have a massive effect on the outcome of a trial, something he suggests people be guarded about.

Mr Freeman says, ‘Failure to comply with the statutory requirements can amount to a defence. A lengthy disqualification would be inevitable unless the case could be successfully defended and depending on whether special reasons apply.

‘Medical issues often apply in these cases and again could amount to a defence.’

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