A Tory council candidate who once received a suspended sentence for benefit cheating has been suspended from the Conservative Party.

Michael Fadaka, 33, of Bedale Road, in Enfield, was given a 12-month suspended sentence in 2011, for racking up more than £30,000 in housing allowance, council tax benefit, and income support while he was a student in 2003.

He was arrested on suspicion of committing an electoral offence on Monday, May 12 but has been bailed until June.

Under the Local Government Act 1972, a candidate can be disqualified from running in council elections if they have receive a prison sentence of at least three months, whether suspended or not, within five years of an election.

The council election will take place on Thursday, May 22.