Ex-Lambeth Council boss admits drink-driving

The former boss of a south London council has pleaded guilty to drink-driving, failing to stop after a car crash and driving without insurance.

Bayo Dosunmu, who was chief executive of Lambeth Council, admitted the offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

At the same hearing, the 46-year-old pleaded not guilty to possession of cocaine.

Dosunmu stepped down from his £190,000-a-year role at the council in July after being charged.

Dosunmu was driving a white Jeep on 23 June when he was involved in a collision with a blue Toyota, while it was waiting at traffic lights at the junction of Wandsworth Bridge Road and Townmead Road in Fulham.

He failed to stop after the crash.

The court heard the driver of the Toyota tailed Dosunmu and eventually had to pull in front of the Jeep he was driving to get him to stop.

Police were called and Dosunmu appeared to be slurring his words, the court heard.

Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring imposed an interim driving ban on Dosunmu and released him on unconditional bail.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

Dosunmu is due to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on 29 August in relation to the Class A drug possession charge.

He was appointed chief executive of Lambeth Council in April 2022, taking over from Andrew Travers.

Since Dosunmu's departure in July, Fiona Connolly, Lambeth’s corporate director of housing and adult social care, has been acting chief executive.

The council intends to begin recruiting for a new permanent chief executive soon.

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