Cannock councillor defends her position after boozy pictures of her were discovered on Facebook.

A Conservative councillor criticised after pictures of her drinking Champagne in a bikini were unearthed on Facebook, has defended her public role saying they were taken years ago when she was at university.

Jodie Jones, 23, became one of the youngest councillors in the UK when she was elected to Cannock Chase District Council earlier this year, saying: “It’s important to me that young people feel engaged with politics.”

But she hit the headlines after pictures of her downing champagne from a bottle and sitting on the ground holding two bottles of alcohol were discovered on Facebook.

Ms Jones, from Huntington, Cannock, said: “The pictures used are all old, dating from well before I was elected as a councillor. 

“The two which seem to be getting the most attention are from my years at Oxford University, and were taken after my university exams, one in June 2007, and one in June 2009. They are not taken ‘on the street’ as some have suggested, but within college grounds, where I was, at that time, living.

“I worked extremely hard for my university exams, and like all students, was pleased to have completed them. I celebrated, but in no way caused any harm, offence or damage to people or property in doing so.

“I doubt there is a graduate out there who didn’t celebrate the end of their exams.”

Ms Jones, who represents the Rawnsley ward and manages Cannock Chase MP Aidan Burley’s office, added: “I have great respect for the privilege of being a councillor. I take my position very seriously, and I am constantly seeking to learn and to do the best job I can for the residents of my ward, and for the district as a whole.

“This comes before my social life, as I have said several times, and I hope people can see beyond these images from my student days and realise they do not impair my ability to do a good job as a councillor.”

The pictures had led to fears from some fellow councillors that Ms Jones was at risk of bringing the council into disrepute.

Diane Todd, councillor for Heath Hayes and Wimblebury, said: “That’s not the behaviour I expect of a councillor, she needs to make sure that she isn’t seen sat swigging from bottles like this.”

But she was defended by Mr Burley, who said: “It is rather sad when you have this sort of criticism from the pensioners on the council.

“Students do go out and have a few drinks.

“We want people who have had these normal life experiences, who have a life outside politics.

“I don’t see what the fuss is about.”