Ex-PM cleared on driving count

Paul Keating. Photo / NZ Herald

Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating has been acquitted of driving through a red traffic light in central Sydney, with a magistrate finding there was "reasonable doubt" about the allegation.

The 66-year-old appeared at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court yesterday to defend the charge that he ran a red light on Australia Day this year as he was driving from his Potts Point home to visit his mother in the city.

Keating said he had accelerated through the intersection and the light was yellow when he crossed the stop line.