27 June 2024 , 07:56
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The leader of a London council has been charged with drug and driving offences after allegedly failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
Bayo Dosunmu, chief executive of Lambeth council, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in the Westminster area on Sunday.
The 46-year-old, from Hammersmith, was charged with failing to stop after a road accident and being in charge of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
He was also charged with possession of class A drugs and driving without insurance.
Dosunmu has a salary of just under £185,000. Lambeth council said interim leadership arrangements had been put in place but that it couldn’t comment further due to the ongoing police investigation.
He was set to act in his role of Returning Officer during the upcoming General Election, but a new person will now need to be appointed to the role before polling day next Thursday.
Lambeth Town Hall (Picture: Ray Tang/LNP/REX/Shutterstock)
Returning Officers are in charge of publishing the notice of election, administering the nomination process, printing ballot papers, organising polling stations, verifying and counting votes, and declaring the result, among other duties.
A police spokesperson said: ‘Bayo Dosunmu, 46, of Hammersmith was arrested on Sunday, June 23 in the Westminster area.
‘He was charged on Monday, June 24 with possession of a controlled drug of Class A; driver of a vehicle fail to stop after a road accident; in charge of motor vehicle – alcohol level above proscribed limit; use a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance.
‘He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 1.’
Dosunmu became the council’s chief executive in July 2022 having previously worked as its deputy chief executive and strategic director for resident services, MailOnline reports.
He has also held roles at Homes England and the Homes and Communities Agency, as well as for the Welsh Government and the Olympic Delivery Authority.