Brian Coleman is appearing at Hendon Magistrates' Court today. Picture: Nigel Sutton.

A “controversial” councillor and former chairman of the London Fire Authority has been suspended from the Conservative Party after police charged him with assaulting a woman.

Cllr Brian Coleman, 51, was arrested after an alleged incident involving a woman in High Road, Finchley, on September 20.

Last week, he was charged with assault by beating and driving without due care and attention.

Barnet council leader cllr Richard Cornelius released a statement yesterday confirming Coleman’s suspension from the Conservative Party.

He said: “Cllr Brian Coleman has today been suspended by the party board from his membership of the Conservative Party.

“This means that he will not be participating in the council as a Conservative until the legal process is completed. He remains innocent until proven guilty.”

A council spokeswoman confirmed Cllr Coleman remains a councillor for Totteridge ward.

He has been bailed to appear at Hendon Magistrates’ Court on Monday (November 5).

Coleman lost his seat on the London Assembly, and the London Fire Authority, in elections in May this year, following a campaign against him by some local residents.

Writing on his own blog, he calls himself “one of the most experienced and controversial politicians on the London political scene.”