Leading Conservative Kevin Bentley has been charged with drink-driving.

Mr Bentley, portfolio holder for Culture and Public Relations for Colchester Council, was arrested by police on Friday night after being breath-tested at about midnight on his way home from a private dinner.

He was found to be driving over the legal limit and is due to appear before Colchester Court later this month.

Mr Bentley, of Willoughby Avenue, West Mersea, had put forward his name to be selected as prospective Parliamentary candidate for Witham but pulled out of the weekend interviews following his arrest.

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