Hannover. The President of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Margot Kà¤ßmann, has been caught drunk whilst driving her official car.

EKD Spokesman Reinhard Mawick confirmed to the news agency DAPD on Tuesday the report by Bild newspaper. Kà¤ßmann told the paper: "I am shocked at myself that I have made such a terrible mistake". She is aware of the legal consequences.

Patrol officers had stopped the bishop in the city of Hanover last Saturday evening around 23.00, after she had ignored a red light with her official car. A breath test showed, according to the EKD Spokesman, an alcohol blood value of 1.1 per thousand.

Kà¤ßmann had to go to the police station, where she was provided a blood sample. The blood sample confirmed a value of 1.1 or more per thousand, and so a crime. Kà¤ßmann said  "I realize how dangerous and irresponsible drinking and driving".

For an alcohol content of 1.1 parts per thousand there is fine of up to 3000 euros or imprisonment, plus seven points in Flensburg and six months to five years deprivation of the license.