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To his credit, state Rep. Cary Allred has been candid in responding to questions about his controversial commute to the legislature April 27 and his behavior once he got there. Most politicians would have run for cover.

But questions linger on several fronts. First, did Allred, an Alamance County Republican, get preferential treatment from a highway patrolman because he's a legislator? Secondly, did he later act inappropriately with a teenage page on the House floor? And is the investigation launched by speaker and longtime foe Joe Hackney a politically motivated "witch hunt," as Allred claims? The sooner the public gets some answers, the better.

Belatedly, Allred was issued a citation for driving 102 mph in a 65-mph zone. A trooper pulled him over about 6 p.m. at the split of I-85 and I-40 in Orange County but let him off with a warning after looking at his House identification card. Several days later, the Orange County district attorney issued a speeding citation, then one for public endangerment.

Allred called the issuances "reverse favoritism" and questioned whether he was actually driving that fast.

In any case, it was poor judgment on his part, considering waning rush-hour traffic on one of the state's busiest interstate stretches. Making it even less palatable is his admission that he had consumed alcohol earlier.

A June 10 court hearing should shed much-needed light on what transpired. Even before then, however, the patrol must reckon with a public perception that Allred initially was shown special consideration because he's a VIP.

What allegedly took place on the House floor in another matter altogether. Allred says the embrace with the teenage page, a family friend, was innocent. Her mother echoes those sentiments. With the House in session, there's no shortage of witnesses.

In the swirl of the charges and counter-charges, Hackney must conduct a prompt, fair, bipartisan probe and leave personalities out of it.

Allred deserves his say in the legislature and in a courtroom. Please, no favors or sanctions because of who he is.