Redirected the construction of a bypass to benefit himself.

Speechley served as a Conservative Party councillor in Crowland, and the Leader of the Lincolnshire County Council.

He was appointed a CBE in 1992, which was later stripped after his 2004 conviction for 'misconduct in a public office' related to the route of the A1073 road (Spalding to Eye bypass), after not declaring a conflict of interest that land he owned would increase significantly in value as a result.

It was confirmed in court that he instructed a Planning Officer to alter the road route to benefit his own land's value to a considerable extent - from £17,500 to £375,000 if it was developed.

Speechley was sentenced to 18 months in jail.