An allegation of abuse of power has been lodged against a leading Colchester politician.

Tim Young, the Labour group leader on Colchester Council, could be brought before the standards committee over allegations he has damaged the reputation of the council.

A complaint has been made by council leader Bill Frame, who has sent a letter to Graham White, director of administration, asking for Mr Young to be investigated by the standards committee.

The call follows Mr Young's conviction for dangerous driving. Mr Frame's letter refers to Judge Jonathon Haworth's summing up in the case, in which he said Mr Young had tried to use his position as councillor to flout bus lane regulations.

If the matter is referred to the standards committee and they uphold the complaint, Mr Young could lose his place as portfolio holder for housing, community safety and health.

Mr Young today (Monday) branded the move "cruel, vindictive and entirely politically motivated" and said he was hopeful it would be decided there was no case to answer.

Mr Young said: "Graham White has told me he doesn't regard it as a matter for the standards committee."

He said section six of the National Code of Local Government Conduct related to people's activities as councillors. He said when the incident happened last November he was a private road user and not a councillor.

He said news of the complaint "was definitely upsetting". He added: "It totally ruined yesterday. We are going to come out fighting."

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