allegedly in excess of 70 kph in her official car but will not face charges.

Last night the Minister said there was nothing odd about this and said members of the public were often sent away with a warning after being caught speeding.

She said Police Commissioner Jean Jacques-Lemay had warned her the Press were onto the story but she said she was angry the Police had "leaked it'' in the first place.

The Government Minister was stopped by a Bermudian traffic police officer as she was believed to have been making her way along Harbour Road doing twice the speed limit.

He issued a speeding ticket to the Cabinet Minister, however, owing to "procedural irregularities'' the ticket was later withdrawn and a caution issued instead.

Yesterday, Police refused to shed any more light on the issue or explain why the ticket was withdrawn.

However, several sources said Ms Webb had been speeding in excess of 70 kph.

A spokeswoman said: "A Police officer recently issued a speeding ticket to a Government official. However, owing to procedural irregularities that occurred after the ticket was issued, and in accordance with existing policy, a decision was made to issue a written caution to the official.

"This was made in consultation with the ticketing officer and the immediate supervisor.

"The caution, issued by the Acting Commissioner, will remain on Police files.'' But the Police spokeswoman said it should be noted that since January of this year, 40 cautions have been issued instead of speeding tickets at the discretion of either Divisional Commanders or, in certain cases, at the Commissioner level.

Each case, she said, was carefully reviewed before such discretion exercised.

She added: "The Bermuda Police Service remains committed to upholding those core values it considers essential in Policing with excellence...including professionalism, integrity and accountability.'' Had the speeding ticket not been withdrawn, Ms Webb could have found herself facing a fine of several hundreds dollars imposed by a magistrate.

Asked if she had been speeding at 70 kph, Ms Webb said: "What's the story? "I was never charged. There's no story, print whatever you like and put a big headline and tell them it's none of their goddamned business whether I was speeding or not, that's ridiculous.

"The Police Commissioner called me and told me how a reporter was going to run a story.'' Ms Webb said the Commissioner told her the reporter was going to call but she was never contacted.

Minister given caution for speeding She went on: "If I get caught for speeding it's between me and the Police but it's out of order for Police to talk to the Press.

"It's nothing to do with Renee Webb, it's to do with the Police. If Police warn people they stop, then they warn people.

"I wasn't charged, it should be the Police for leaking private affairs to the Press.'' Ms Webb was asked if ordinary members of the public would have received similar treatment.

She said: "Joe Bloggs gets warned all the time, that's the point. Police in Bermuda can either warn you or they can book you.'' She said it was nothing to do with her being a Minister and that she had already been stopped for speeding earlier in her term.

She said: "I got caught speeding as a Minister and I got charged and went to court and paid my fine just like everyone else.'' COURTS CTS