Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has been fined for speeding on a section of M1 near Hertfordshire.

The 58-year-old was handed a £72 fine at Luton Magistrates' Court, with a £28 victim surcharge, and had three points added to his licence, although he did not appear in court.

He was caught travelling at 73mph on a 60mph by a speed camera on a section of the motorway near Caddington, in Bedfordshire, close to Markyate and the Hertfordshire border.

Sir Davey admitted to being behind the wheel when contacted by police in March, but forgot to give details of his driving licence when he attempted to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice.

In a letter to the court, he apologised for his mistake, adding: "The only mitigation for failing to provide my licence details was just being super-busy and failing to read the form fully, having already accepted liability and made arrangements for the payment."

A Lib Dem spokesman said: "Ed inadvertently broke the speed limit on the M1, which he is sorry for.

"He has paid the fine and accepted the points on his licence."