The council chief is charged with Class A drug and alcohol offences

The chief executive of Labour-led Lambeth council has been charged with drug and drink driving offences.

Bayo Dosunmu was arrested in central London on Sunday after allegedly fleeing the scene of a car accident.

The 46-year-old, from Hammersmith, is charged with failing to stop following a road traffic accident, driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drink, possessing Class A drugs and driving without insurance.

He earns £187,775 a year, according to a November 2022 Lambeth council document, and receives an undisclosed other payment for his role as presiding officer.

Dosunmu was expected to fill the role during the upcoming general election, but an interim director will now have to be appointed before July 4.

Lambeth Council said: “Lambeth Council Chief Executive Bayo Dosunmu is currently out of work and the council has put in place interim management arrangements.

“We are unable to make any further comment due to an ongoing police investigation.”

Arrested at Westminster

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Bayo Dosunmu, 46, from Hammersmith was arrested on Sunday 23 June in the Westminster area. He was charged on Monday, June 24. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 1.”

Dosunmu was appointed chief executive of the town hall in 2022, having previously acted as Lambeth’s deputy chief executive and strategic director for resident services.

He moved to the borough in 2019 after working as chief executive at Homes England and assistant chief executive at the Homes and Communities Agency.

He has previously served at senior level in a number of public service roles, including for the Welsh Government and the Olympic Delivery Authority.