Priest caught participating in Zoom call while driving to funeral | UK News

A priest illegally used his phone behind the wheel to make a Zoom call to a council meeting – while driving to officiate a funeral.

Father Malcolm Lane, 69, was seen on camera sitting behind the wheel as he tried to speak at the meeting where he is a Conservative councilor.

The Conservative member of Monmouthshire County Council spoke to introduce himself over video link – when the chairman suddenly realized he was driving a car.

Labor councilor Armand Watts asked him: ‘Malcolm, I’ve just made a point here, are you driving?’

Cllr Lane, who also served as a magistrate for 27 years, was seen with his dog collar on video link behind the wheel of his car.

And Father Lane replied, ‘Yes, I’m driving. I’m actually going to hold a funeral, but I’m listening carefully.

The priest would face an unholy fight if he was caught using his phone behind the wheel.

Anyone caught using a handheld phone while driving can be fined up to £200 and receive six penalty points on their driving licence.

Cllr Watts, who was sitting in the council chamber in Usk, Monmouthshire, responded with ‘Hmm, wait a minute, a second’ – before advising him to pull over.

‘Malcolm, my advice to you, because I’m not sure where you are, obviously you have important business this morning, would be to possibly stop if you can,’ he said.

‘Just turn off your camera, maybe.’

Father Lane, a veteran Conservative councilor for the Mardy ward, replied: ‘Yes, I will.’

Other counselors present on the conference call appeared shocked by the priest’s actions on the live broadcast.

Monmouth Labor member Steven Garratt, who covers the Overmonnow ward, was seen shaking his head and giving a thumbs down gesture.

A council spokesperson said that, like many others, Monmouthshire County Council holds its meetings online and in person.

It said: ‘This allows councilors to attend all meetings remotely for a number of reasons.’

Father Lane, who was scheduled to discuss dental services at the meeting, did not respond to comments.

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