A Tory candidate in the council elections has spoken of his regret over a drugs offence.

David Goodyear is standing as a West Sussex County Council candidate for Durrington, Worthing.

He was convicted in 1994 of conspiracy to supply cocaine while working as a pharmacist.

He served 15 months of a two-and-a-half year sentence at Verne prison in Portland, Dorset, where he ran the library.

He said: "I've paid my debt to society. I did not sell the drug. I did it as a favour and I very much regret it."

Mr Goodyear said there was no secret about his past within the community he wanted to serve.

He won in the same ward in 1984 and served on the county council.

West Worthing Tory MP Peter Bottomley said: "David Goodyear has lived here for 30 years. The facts have been known locally. There is no secret.

"I have done canvassing here and a fair number of people said David is doing well and they are pleased he is standing."

Mr Bottomley said Sheryl Grady, chief executive of Worthing Borough Council, had said Mr Goodyear was eligible to stand for election.

Nick Rodgers, Liberal Democrat candidate for Durrington, said his party was aware of Mr Goodyear's past conviction but regarded it as a personal issue.

May 25, 2001