CANTERBURY MP Julian Brazier has received a four-month suspended prison sentence by an Italian court following an accident in which a motorcyclist was killed.

A criminal hearing took place yesterday at which Mr Brazier, who did not attend, entered a plea of "parteggiamento" which means "petition for negotiation". In addition to the suspended sentence, he was banned from driving in Italy for six months.

Mr Brazier was on a family holiday last year when his car was in collision with the motorcycle ridden by Carlo Civitelli.

It was admitted by the MP that he had momentarily strayed onto the wrong side of the road. After yesterday's hearing he said: "I fully respect the verdict of the Italian judical system.

"I am still deeply saddened by the tragic consequences of my lapse of attention. I cannot bring Mr Civitelli back but I hope to put this matter behind me."