Canterbury councillor Neil Baker suspended from executive comittee
A top Canterbury city councillor
charged with drink driving has been suspended from the authority’s
cabinet committee.
Tory Neil Baker, of St Patrick’s Close, Whitstable,
was given the news by council leader John Gilbey this
week.
The 30-year-old, whose portfolio includes communications and
tourism, was arrested on December 5 after crashing his car near the
junction of Pean Hill and Bogshole Lane in Whitstable.
He escaped the smash uninjured and was helped out of the Renault
Clio, which had become stuck between two trees. He was later
charged with drink driving and is set to appear before magistrates
on Friday, January 4.
Mr Gilbey - who has described Baker as a "very valuable member"
of the Tory group - has suspended him from the ruling Executive
committee, but he will continue to represent the party in Tankerton
ward.
Mr Gilbey said: "It’s taken me some time but I have decided to
suspend Neil from the cabinet until the AGM in early May.
"I had to do some soundings within the group with the usual
reliable people and there was a variation in what people expected.
There will be a formal announcement shortly."
Baker, whose girlfriend is expecting twins, was elected to the
council last May and is chairman of the Canterbury Conservative
Association.
He describes himself as a self-employed journalist and is
director of the Bridge-based firm Cobasine, a new media development
company.
20/12/12
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