confronted her over a suspected traffic offence: "This is bull****.'' It was claimed she later said: "Do you know who I am? I am Renee Webb, MP.'' And in another exchange she allegedly fumed: "I am sick and tired of you people treating us like criminals.'' The officers made the claims when Webb appeared at Magistrates' Court yesterday for allegedly disobeying a traffic light in Hamilton.

Webb, MP for Hamilton East, denies jumping a red light at the junction of Front Street and Burnaby Street on May 7.

Prosecution witness Acting Sgt. James Howard said he was with P.c. Edward Peach Jr. at the Flagpole on Front Street when Webb committed the offence.

It was about 12.35 a.m., and he could see the traffic lights governing Front Street and Burnaby Street change from amber to red.

Acting Sgt. Howard said he saw Webb's white Golf travelling east towards the lights.

"The vehicle was about 15 metres back from the lights before they had changed to red,'' he said.

"I then watched as this motor car accelerated through the red light, being followed by a grey motor car.'' He said he then stopped both vehicles near the Oasis night club.

He claimed Webb approached him as he spoke to the woman in the grey car.

Webb was irritated, and claimed she did not "run the light'', he added.

"I said `excuse me'. Before I finished she shouted `I did not run the light.

Do you think people will go through a red light?','' he said.

"I then informed Miss Webb she also went through the red light.'' At this point Webb became "really irritated'', he said.

He claimed she told him: "You are crazy. I did not go through any red light.

I am sick and tired of you people treating us like criminals. This is bull****.'' "I then asked Miss Webb to calm down as people began to gather.'' Acting Sgt. Howard continued: "It was at this time I noticed P.c. Peach behind the second car, a grey Subaru.'' P.c. Peach, also a prosecution witness, told the court he approached Webb and Acting Sgt. Howard and said: "Good evening ma'am.'' He added: "Miss Webb replied `this officer said I went through a red light'.

"I replied `yes, you did ma'am'. She replied `This is bull****. Go ahead, book me. I will be pleading not guilty. They will hear about this'.'' P.c. Peach claimed Webb later said: "I get calls every day about you people and I can understand how they feel.

"I am a Member of Parliament full time. My business burned down last year.'' In cross-examination of Acting Sgt. Howard, Webb asked about the Police procedure of stopping two cars.

Acting Sgt. Howard said he put on his emergency lights, and approached the grey Subaru first because it was nearest him.

Webb then asked him: "Did you stop me?'' She suggested she had stopped on her own volition.

The case was adjourned until November 29.