Worcestershire County Council's leader has said he will step down after being caught drink-driving before Christmas.
In a statement, Cllr Adrian Hardman admitted to the offence and apologised after being stopped by police in Tewkesbury on December 22 as part of the Gloucestershire force's annual anti-drink drive campaign, which has been supported by councillors.
Cllr Adrian Hardman
Cllr Adrian Hardman said: ‘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 January 14th.
'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.’
A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said: ‘A 59-year-old man from Bredon was charged with drink-driving after he was arrested on Bredon Road, Tewkesbury, at around 8pm on Tuesday December 22.’
He is due to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on January 18.
Adrian Hardman was elected onto the council in March 2000 and represents the Bredon Division. He was elected leader in November 2010.
