A motorist whose driving caused concern to a member of the public was arrested by police in Harrogate after giving a positive drugs test.

The member of the public has been praised by North Yorkshire Police for contacting them about the way in which the vehicle was being driven.

In a  Facebook post, which included a photograph of the the roadside wipe test kit that had been used, police said:

“The driver, a man in his 20s, gave this positive reading for cocaine and white powder was located during a search of the vehicle.

“He was arrested and a blood sample has been obtained which will be sent off for analysis.”

The motorist was stopped by police after a member of the public raised concerns about the standard of his driving

“The consequences could have been much more serious – so a huge thank you to the person who called us.

“We always say if you are concerned about someone’s driving, call us and in this case, earlier this week, a motorist was stopped by one of our officers after a member of the public contacted us concerned about the standard of their driving in Harrogate.”

The government warns motorists about use of drugs and driving, saying:

“It’s illegal to drive if either:

• you’re unfit to do so because you’re on legal or illegal drugs
• you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood (even if they have not affected your driving)

“The police can stop you and make you do a ‘field impairment assessment’ if they think you’re on drugs. This is a series of tests, for example asking you to walk in a straight line. They can also use a roadside drug kit to screen for cannabis and cocaine.

“If they think you’re unfit to drive because of taking drugs, you’ll be arrested and will have to take a blood or urine test at a police station.

“You could be charged with a crime if the test shows you’ve taken drugs..

“It’s really important that the United Kingdom makes an immediate open, welcoming and warm hearted commitment of sanctuary to those who wish to leave Ukraine.

“Rip up the usual bureaucracy and let’s just say they are welcome and we will make it as easy as possible to be here.”

Local Conservative MPs Andrew Jones and Julian Smith abstained from the controversial vote in the Commons yesterday on whether to suspend former minister Owen Paterson.

MPs voted by 250 to 232 to put off a decision on whether to suspend Mr Paterson.

A total of 98 Conservative MPs did not take part in the vote, despite pressure from the party leadership to vote in favour.

They included Mr Jones, who represents Harrogate and Knaresborough, and Mr Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon. Both men rarely rebel from the party line.

Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams, who is Minister of State without Portfolio at the Cabinet Office, voted with the government.

The Leadsom amendment was put forward after a Parliamentary standards watchdog found Mr Paterson had breached lobbying rules by approaching MPs about two firms he was working for as a consultant.

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The vote was carried and would have seen the formation a new cross-party committee of MPs to review the process for policing MPs and postponed Mr Paterson’s 30-day suspension from the Commons.

But following a fierce backlash, today, the government has now said it will rethink its plans.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the House, said the changes would not go ahead without cross-party support. He added a further vote on Mr Paterson’s suspension will go ahead.

The Stray Ferret has contacted Mr Smith and Mr Jones about the vote but has not received replies.