A Waveney District councillor convicted of drink driving and assaulting a police inspector has stood down as a Conservative councillor.

Andrew Draper, 37, who represents Worlingham ward and lives in Carlton Colville, has issued a statement today saying he will remain on the council as an independent councillor.

Mr Draper pleaded guilty to drink driving and kicking out at Insp Stephen Bunn at Lowestoft Magistrates' Court last week - prompting calls for his resignation.

His statement reads: 'It is with great regret that I must today announce my resignation from the Conservative Group on Waveney District Council.

I do this with a heavy heart, having been proud to stand as and win as a Conservative in May. I have brought shame upon myself, my family and my party. This is not something which can be allowed to continue for too long. I deeply regret driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

I have not done this before and this has blemished an otherwise clean record.

I do not want to drag the Conservative Party or the Group on Waveney through this any more. Colin Law is an excellent Leader of the Council and the administration here are doing good work . This is an unnecessary distraction from that.

I must also state that it is not in my character to wilfully attack police officers. I was not resisting arrest, or in any way acting violently. I had been pepper sprayed at close range whilst in the back of the police vehicle. My hitting out was an involuntary act of self defence. I have always and will continue to respect the work of the police in Suffolk.

In all, this is a deeply regrettable incident, which I want to put behind me and move on from. I intend to remain as a councillor on Waveney District Council, now as an Independent representing my ward . I see it as an opportunity to put something back into the community.'

See tomorrow's paper for a full report and reaction to Mr Draper's resignation.