One of Britain’s youngest councillors has resigned in shame – after he was caught with class A drugs in a nightclub.
Alex Hempton-Smith was just 19 when he joined Herefordshire Council in 2011, promising to bring “youthful energy” to the authority.
But he has stepped down after receiving a police caution for possessing Class A drugs at Fusion nightclub in Hereford.
The part-time barman, now 21, blamed “acute depression” for the incident and said he was going to take the opportunity travel the world.
In a letter to constituents, the independent said: “For some time, I have been suffering from episodes of acute depression, but have not been able to share this with anybody.
“This has been very disabling and socially isolating.
“The recent incident at Fusion Nightclub has made me confront the realities of my situation and has enabled me to see clearly how to put things right.
“Like many young people I have ambitions to travel the world to get a wider perspective and I am now taking this opportunity.”
The youngster gave up multiple university offers to become the Tupsley ward councillor with the party ‘It’s Our County’ – a local pressure group.
His profile on the party’s website said he put ambitions of becoming a teacher on hold to “bring honesty, transparency and a youthful energy” to his local council.
Party leader councillor Anthony Powers said: “I, and all my colleagues, applaud Alex’s honesty in confronting his difficult personal circumstances and publicly recognising a serious error of judgement.”
A spokeswoman for West Mercia Police confirmed officers cautioned Mr Hempton-Smith after bouncers found him with a small quantity of class A drugs at the Fusion nightclub in Commercial Road, Hereford, in the early hours of August 16.
Mr Hempton-Smith could not be contacted for comment.
