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Brisbane councillor charged with drink driving after police found him asleep in parked car

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Aя╗┐ Brisbane councillor has been charged with mid-range drink driving after he was found asleep behind the wheel of a parked car by police.

The incident unfolded after Peter Cumming attended a Christmas Eve party with local business owners at his ward in Wynnum.

After leaving the event, the 62-year-old said he got into his parked council car across the roadя╗┐ which was less than 200m from his home.

Brisbane councillor Peter Cumming
Brisbane councillor Peter Cumming has been charged with drink driving. (Tammy Law)

Police said they found him asleepя╗┐ with the car still running.

Officers told 9News the councillor blew 0.13 per cent, which is a chargeable offence even though the car was stationary.

Cumming said he had about six drinks over a four-hour period while at the party.

“It was a couple of heavy beers, couple of Bundy rum and colas,” he said.

“The worst thing I did, I started drinking self-mixed spirits.”я╗┐

Cumming said he won’t be going on leave and has no plans to step down yet.я╗┐

“I’ve let myself down, I’ve left the community down,” he said.я╗┐

A decision on his resignation will come closer to the next council election.

“Got to give serious consideration to my future and perhaps I should be looking at treatment,” he said.

He will face court on Monday and said he plans to plead guilty.я╗┐

Brisbane councillor Peter Cumming
Cumming will face court next week. (9News)

Transport minister Mark Bailey said the incident is “unacceptable” and “disrespectful”.

я╗┐”I’ve always had a very hard line on drink driving, long before I was a minister,” he said.

“I think it’s really disrespectful to other people and their safety and Peter Cummings should consider his future – absolutely.”

Brisbane councillor Peter Cumming
Cumming was nearly in tears as he said he let the community down. (9News)

Cumming was asked by reportersя╗┐ whether he had learned from Williams mistake and responded, “no, obviously no”.

Cumming has represented the Wynnum-Manly ward in Brisbane for almost 30 years.я╗┐

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