Pallade Veneta - UK interior minister in the clear over speeding claims: Sunak

Sunak said he had consulted his ethics adviser over the case and concluded that the allegations "do not amount to a breach of the ministerial code".

Braverman -- a Brexit hardliner criticised for her tough stance on immigration -- faced calls to be investigated after asking civil servants to set up a one-to-one driving awareness course, instead of taking penalty points on her licence.

Opposition politicians claimed she may have breached the ministerial code of conduct by requesting non-political civil servants to help deal with a private matter.

Braverman, who is in charge of law enforcement, wrote to Sunak saying: "I sought to explore whether bespoke arrangements were possible, given my personal circumstances as a security-protected minister.

"I recognise how some people have construed this as me seeking to avoid sanction -- at no point was that the intention or outcome.

"I deeply regret that my actions may have given rise to that perception, and I apologise for the distraction this has caused," she added.

While Sunak concluded that Braverman should not face a formal probe, he did tell his interior minister that "a better course of action could have been taken to avoid giving rise to the perception of impropriety."

The Sunday Times broke the story this weekend while Sunak was at the G7 leaders' summit in Japan. On his return, he told MPs that he wanted the case examined "properly" and "professionally".

Braverman, who ended up taking the fine and points on her licence, resigned under previous prime minister Liz Truss for using her personal email to send an official document to a colleague.

A.Saggese--PV