Eton-educated Earl who carried the royal standards at King Charles’ coronation appears in court after he was charged with driving while more than double the legal alcohol limit
A Conservative peer faced court yesterday after being accused of driving while more than double the speed limit alcohol limitation.
The 12th Earl of Dundee appeared at the city’s sheriff court under the name Alexander Scrymgeour on a charge of drink-driving.
The Eton-educated suspect, chief of Clan Scrymgeour, is alleged to have driven a Toyota Hilux truck while under the influence of alcohol.
Lord Dundee’s farming business manages approximately 2,000 hectares across Fife and Angus.
He has spoken in the House of Lords on agricultural and health issues.
The Earl of Dundee was accused of double standards after driving while more than double the legal alcohol limit
The head of Clan Scrymgeour is said to have driven a Toyota Hilux truck while under the influence
The indictment alleges that the sitting member of the House of Lords was driving in St Michaels, Fife, on May 12 this year with his alcohol level at 50 micrograms.
The legal limit is 22 micrograms.
Scrymgeour, 75, Birkhill House, Balmerino, entered no plea to the charge and the matter continued at a case management hearing on July 5.
He was educated at Ludgrove School and Eton College, before attending the University of St Andrews, and was a page of honor to Queen Elizabeth II.
Lord Scrymgeour’s first active experience as a Conservative politician was as the party’s candidate in the 1978 Hamilton by-election.
He has served in the House of Lords since his father’s death in 1983 and was a member of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords from 1986 to 1989.
He was Government Spokesperson for Education (1986-1988), Government Spokesperson for Scottish Affairs (1986-1989) and Government Spokesperson for Home Affairs and Energy (1987-1989).
In 1999 he was elected a hereditary peer and assumed the title Earl of Dundee.
From 1992 to 1997 he was the British delegate to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
From 1992 to 1999 he was also a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Western European Parliament.
The Count is honorary consul for Croatia in Edinburgh and is involved in a trust that distributes humanitarian aid to some of the poorest parts of the Balkans.
Lord Dundee is also the hereditary royal standard bearer of Scotland, Constable of Dundee and chief of the name and arms of Scrymgeour.
He was among the peers who wore the Royal Standards at King Charles’ coronation in 2023.
His father, the 11th Earl of Dundee, was deputy leader of the House of Lords for a period.
