A TEENAGE Dudley Conservative candidate who promotes campaigns on road safety has been forced to defend his own dodgy driving.

Jack Spriggs, aged 19, who will be standing for election Dudley Council’s St James’s ward during next year’s local elections, filmed video selfies which showed him shaking his head, singing loudly with friends and taking his eyes off the road to look into the camera while driving.

Mr Spriggs, who is a member of Rushden Town Council in Northamptonshire, also promotes campaign leaflets for Dudley North’s Conservative candidate for the general election, Afzal Amin, which call for action on speeding to make Dudley streets safer.

Dudley councillor Adam Aston described Mr Spriggs’ actions as irresponsible and immature.

Cllr Aston said: “We don’t need driving like that in Dudley. Do Afzal Amin and the Conservatives think that it is appropriate for Jack Spriggs to continue to run campaigns on road safety in Dudley? Do they also think that he is an appropriate choice of candidate for St James’s following his actions?”

The Conservative Party has confirmed Mr Spriggs will continue both as a member of their general election team in Dudley North and as council candidate.

Jack Spriggs said: "I have been foolish and it is totally correct to say that when driving it is always safest to concentrate fully on the road and not let yourself be distracted.

"The video footage I uploaded was filmed hands-free - with the phone mounted using a car kit. However I realise simply because something is legal does not make it the safest way to drive, so I will not be repeating my mistake. In the future, it's eyes on the road for me."