Quad bike film MP called to court

Nicholas Soames has represented Mid Sussex since 1997

An MP has been summoned to court over footage which appeared to show him riding a quad bike on a public road.

Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames is accused of towing two children in a trailer in Slaugham, West Sussex, while following a New Year's Day hunt.

In the film, shot by hunt saboteurs, another child was allegedly seen sitting behind the Conservative MP, a grandson of Sir Winston Churchill.

Mr Soames, 60, will appear at Crawley Magistrates' Court on 16 April.

It was claimed that none of the children were strapped in or wearing crash helmets in the footage, which featured in a national newspaper on 3 January.

Eton-educated Mr Soames, who served as Armed Forces minister from 1994 to 1997, has represented Mid Sussex since 1997 and previously served as MP for Crawley.

A spokeswoman for Mr Soames said: "He doesn't yet know the nature of the charges and he doesn't wish to comment as the due process of the law will take place."