Tory councillor arrested and suspended

The Conservatives have suspended Robert Benson, 41, from the Harrow and Weald Council after police charged him with engaging in a sexual act in public.

Police arrested the recently-married Mr Benson who was in a public toilet with another man in South Harrow, North London. His 56-year-old companion from Essex was issued a warning.

He can sit still on the council as an independent, and could win back party membership following an acquittal.

“If somebody is charged with a criminal offence, they are suspended as part of our standard procedure,” said Tory leader councillor David Ashton.