Trundling on to the Buckingham Palace grounds in her little hatchback, Labour MP Samantha Niblett may have thought she was underlining her down-to-earth credentials.
If so, the decision backfired spectacularly, as it emerged she was driving her modest runaround… without a valid MOT certificate.
Ms Niblett was one of hundreds of new MPs and peers invited to meet the King and Queen at the Palace, and was pictured shaking Charles’s hand during the event.
But her arrival in the white Abarth 500 – a variant of a Fiat 500 also owned by the Italian car company – drew astonishment from colleagues, with some taking pictures.
And from that, it emerged that the South Derbyshire MP’s car was, in fact, overdue its annual check-up by ten days.
Driving without an MOT – unless it’s to get a certificate renewal – is strictly forbidden.
The Gov.uk website warns: ‘You cannot drive or park your vehicle on the road if the MOT has run out. You can be prosecuted if caught.’
In most cases, it would also invalidate a motor insurance policy.
Labour MP Samantha Niblett arrived at Buckingham Palace in a white Fiat Abarth 500 (pictured), without a valid MOT certificate
Ms Niblett (pictured) with the King on February 1. The MP for South Derbyshire could potentially face a fine of up to £1,000
That could mean that Ms Niblett, one of the army of new Labour MPs elected last year, could potentially face a fine of up to £1,000.
However, last night the MP owned up to the ‘honest mistake’ and stressed that she had now renewed the certificate.
She told this paper: ‘I believed my MOT was due in February, and as any busy single mum with a full-time job will tell you, you sometimes get things wrong.’
Ms Niblett, 45, added: ‘As soon as I discovered the issue, I booked in with a garage, where the car passed its MOT.
‘This was an honest mistake, and I apologise.’
The reception was hosted at the Palace last month with new MPs and peers invited to meet Charles and Camilla in an event also attended by Sir Keir Starmer. Ms Niblett was seen smiling during the lavish event as she talked with the King.
On Instagram afterwards, she said what an ‘incredible honour’ it was to ‘have been invited by their Majesties the King and Queen to the reception.
She added: ‘It was wonderful to have been there representing South Derbyshire and to have had opportunity to thank the King for his tireless work raising awareness on environmental issues and the climate crisis.’
Last night, another MP said Ms Niblett’s MOT mistake ‘was one we could all make’. However, he added: ‘She did draw attention to herself by driving into the Palace.
‘I think most of us walked up from Westminster and I didn’t know you had the option to take your car into Buckingham Palace.’
Ms Niblett herself has declined to comment on her travel arrangements.
Sir Keir Starmer with Ms Niblett. She owned up to her ‘honest mistake’, stressing she had now renewed the certificate
However, The Mail on Sunday understands the Palace does provide parking if requested.
Before the last election, Ms Niblett – who overturned a huge Tory majority to win her Midlands seat – was listed as one of ten ‘rising stars’ in her party who could play a big role in a Labour government.
The future MP, who helped found the Labour Women in Tech organisation was quoted in The Guardian as saying one of her ‘biggest drivers’ was showing her 16-year-old daughter what was possible.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
