The councillor and former mayor has resigned his Bath and North East Somerset council seat, telling a meeting the decision was not taken lightly and that he must prioritise his health and wellbeing.
Resignation follows suspension from party
The councillor, who had been suspended from the Liberal Democrats in March over the incident, said he had shared a social media message without appreciating its “implied subtext”. He apologised for the post and said he regretted the distraction it caused to both the council and the mayoralty.
"Like all of us, I am human and capable of making mistakes and I made a mistake, a momentary error, and shared a social media message before realising its implied subtext. I am sorry I did that and I wish I hadn't."
He added he had stepped back as soon as it became clear that doing so was the right course of action, and said he aimed to serve every resident with "integrity" and "respect" and had a "genuine desire" to improve the city.
Local consequences and timetable
The resignation will almost certainly lead to a by-election later this summer. The successful candidate would serve only until the scheduled local elections in May next year.
- He resigned after being suspended from the Liberal Democrats in March.
- His apology cited a momentary error and a wish to avoid further distraction.
- A by-election is expected this summer, with the next regular elections in May.
The wider context of the original social media material is linked to a high-profile incident in London earlier this year: five people have been charged in connection with an arson attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green in March. The councillor's post referenced that affair, and it was this connection that prompted disciplinary action by his party.
What this means for residents
Residents in the ward should expect formal notices from Bath and North East Somerset Council setting out the by-election timetable and details on how to stand or vote. The councillor emphasised health reasons as part of his decision to resign and expressed regret for the impact of his actions on civic life.
| Key dates/events | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suspension from party | March (suspended from the Liberal Democrats) |
| Related criminal case | Five charged over Hatzola ambulance arson in Golders Green (March) |
| Resignation | Announced at a council meeting (July) |
| Next steps | By-election likely this summer; regular local elections in May next year |
Council officers will publish the formal vacancy and timetable; interested parties will be able to consult the council website for nomination packs, voting arrangements and guidance for those wishing to stand.
This episode has prompted reflection about the use of social media by public officeholders and the potential consequences of sharing content that causes offence or distraction from civic business. The departing councillor described his actions as a mistake and underlined a wish to move on while putting his wellbeing first.
