Alberta MP Peter Goldring not guilty of refusing to give breath sample

EDMONTON – An Alberta MP has been found not guilty of failing to provide a breath sample during a roadside checkstop.

Peter Goldring admitted he had had wine at a Christmas party and a quick beer before police pulled him over in Edmonton in December 2011.

Officers testified at Goldring’s trial that he was snarky and refused to co-operate when he was pulled over, forcing them to arrest and handcuff him.

Goldring’s lawyer Dino Bottos (Buh-TOHS’) argued the officers botched the arrest and refused to answer his client’s reasonable questions.

Goldring, who represented Edmonton East for the Conservatives, has long been a critic of roadside breath checks.

He has been sitting as an Independent since leaving the Tory caucus over the charge.