In the trial at Sheffield Crown Court Mr Speechley denies the charge of misconduct in public office.

The prosecution asked him on Thursday if he had misled a BBC reporter who had interviewed him about land he owned near the proposed Crowland bypass.

It is alleged Mr Speechley tried to influence the route of the road for his own profit.

'Done deal'

Mr Speechley, 67, from Crowland, faced his third day in the witness box.

It was claimed in court that after he had indicated his preference for the road on one map, he went on to mark a second map as though the route was a done deal.

He was also asked whether, when later interviewed by a BBC reporter, he had been deliberately misleading in his answers about land he owned.

Mr Speechley rejected both these suggestions.