Irons in the doghouse: Actor is caught driving with his hound on his lap… again 

You’d think it might be a case of once bitten, twice shy – but Jeremy Irons has been caught for a second time driving with his dog Smudge on his lap.

The actor, seen in 2018 with his pet on a motorbike, has now been spotted sharing the driver’s seat of his Mini with him.

Irons, 73, was dining at Mayfair restaurant Scott’s with wife Sinead Cusack. They left the mongrel in the car as they ate.

The Highway Code states animals must be ‘suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving’. Breaching the code risks a fine of up to £5,000.

For their meal out, the Oscar-winning star was dressed in yellow trousers and a long coat with a cravat, while Marcella actress Miss Cusack opted for loose grey trousers and a black structured jacket.

Irons was later pictured in the driving seat with Smudge who was not wearing a restraint and as a result could have easily obstructed the actor’s view of the road.

In March, research by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found that more than four out of ten dog owners put their pooch in an unsafe place while driving.

Dogs Trust also advises that dogs do not travel in the front of the car.

Seven-year-old mongrel Smudge is a rescue from Battersea Dogs Home.

Irons previously revealed that he always travels with his furry companion, telling Country Life: ‘She rides with me on my motorcycle, on my trap, in my boats and sits backstage in the theatre and on film sets.

‘She’s been to Broadway shows with me, flown on private jets and been to the White House.’

He also joked that Smudge once embarrassed him by vomiting ‘all over the foyer floor’ at the Facebook offices in New York.