A COUNCILLOR has been charged by police with criminal damage and harassment.

Northwood councillor Ian Oakley, 31, of Ryeland Close, West Drayton, was charged yesterday (Thursday) with five counts of criminal damage and two counts of harassment.

Mr Oakley resigned as a Conservative parliamentary candidate for Watford after he was arrested on last Friday (18) for his alleged involvement in a three-year hate campaign against Liberal Democrats in Watford, including poison pen letters and nuisance calls.

He also resigned from the Conservative party in Hillingdon and will now represent Northwood as an independent councillor.

Mr Oakley was questioned by officers at Rickmansworth Police Station yesterday (Thursday) and was charged at around 5pm.

He has been bailed to appear at St Albans Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (5).