A former Conservative mayor who allegedly sexually assaulted an ex-councillor said he was feeling “naughty” in a leaked email.

Melvin Wallace, mayor of Havering in 2011, has had his membership of the Conservative party suspended while the party investigates sexual assault allegations made by former councillor Linda Trew.

In a statement made to the party, she describes what happened when she bumped into Mr Wallace on December 5 2016, as she was returning to her car in the Western Road car park, Romford after shopping.

She alleges he then sexually assaulted her.

Mrs Trew, who was mayor in 2014, sent an email to Mr Wallace the same day saying she was “shocked and offended” to which he replied, “I was being naughty”.

The Recorder has seen an email from former council leader Councillor Roger Ramsey on December 22 2016, who said that Mr Wallace has been “duly warned about any inappropriate conduct”.

Another email was sent by Mrs Trew to Romford MP Andrew Rosindell, council leader Cllr Damian White and Cllr Osman Dervish on September 5 2017 regarding the incident.

A Havering Council spokesman said no notifications has been received of any suspension and it is an “internal matter” for the party.

A Conservative party spokeswoman said: “We take any allegations seriously and the party has acted quickly when presented with evidence of inappropriate behaviour, suspending those involved and launching immediate investigations.”

A police investigation is ongoing.

Mr Wallace has declined to comment.