THE LEADER of Worcestershire County Council is to stand down in January after being caught drink driving just before Christmas.
Coun Adrian Hardman, who has responsibility for finance at Worcestershire County Council, was arrested while over the limit on Bredon Road in Tewkesbury at about 8pm on December 22 after he reportedly failed a road side breath test.
Following the incident the 59-year-old, who is due to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Monday, January 18, has said he intends to plead guilty and has announced that he will be quitting as leader of the authority.
In a statement, he added: “Drinking and driving was a gross misjudgement on my part and I would like to apologise.
“In doing so I have fallen short of the standards that I set for myself and those that I expect from my fellow Worcestershire County Councillors.
“I will therefore be standing down as leader at the next full council meeting on Thursday, January 14.
“I fully support the drink driving laws.
“I will be pleading guilty in court next month and will accept the punishment that is handed to me.”
Coun Peter McDonald, leader of the Worcestershire Labour Group, called for Mr Hardman to quit County Hall altogether.
“A person in his position should be an example to everybody. I don’t think he had any other choice but to resign.
“He should have respect for the electorate and for the democratic process. He should do the honourable thing and resign as a county councillor.”
Those convicted of drink driving face a ban of over a year, depending on the level and the circumstances, a fine and, in some cases up to six months in prison.
