Edmonton MP Goldring denies driving drunk

Edmonton MP Peter Goldringtold reporters he had consumed only one beer the night police pulled him over as asuspected drunk driverin earlyDecember.

Goldring spoke with mediaWednesdayfor the first time since being charged with refusing to give a roadsidebreath sample on Dec. 4, 2011 after attending afundraiser.

Though he would nottalk about the case, he said he had only one beer that night.

"Simply put, I was not under the influence of any alcohol or intoxicating substance," he said.

He was very comfortable in making the decision to drive himself home that night, he said.

"My wife and I, we attend numerous, numerous functions and if there's any time in there whatsoever that I might have a drink or two, my wife is my secondary driver."

He would not reveal why he refused to provide a sample of his breath, saying his reasonswill come out at trial.

Goldring said he will eventually plead not guilty to the charge, but is waiting for more disclosure of evidence from police.

Goldring became emotional when askedhow the last six weeks have been for him.

"It's been terrible," he said before choking up.

It's alsobeen alearning experience, he said.

"We read about and hear from, for example, MADD," he said. "They say 'Go ahead and have one drink with your dinner.'"

"They are wrong."

His lawyer, Dino Bottos,expects a one or two-day trial will take place in the fall.

Meanwhile the case goesback in court on Feb. 15.

Since charges were laid,Goldring has persistently kept out of the public eye,distancing himselffrom reporters.

Goldring resigned from the federal Conservative caucus as a result of the charge but intends to continue to represent the riding as an MP.