A COUNCILLOR for one meeting claims he has been humiliated by Maldon Town Council.

Desmond Wright, 53, of Falcon Mews, was co-opted by members of the town council to fill a vacancy in the west ward on January 29.

Following Mr Wright’s co-option, he attended his first meeting on February 12, having signed the documents to become a councillor.

The following day, he received a letter from the town council saying there had been an error during the voting process, the correct procedures had not been followed, and as a result he was not actually a town councillor.

Mr Wright said he was shocked to receive the note and added that he felt let down by the council.

He said: “I had signed all the documents to become a councillor on the night I was co-opted. I attended my first meeting on the Monday night where I was addressed as Councillor Wright throughout. I had no reason to think I wasn’t a councillor.

“Then the following day I received the letter.

“The council knew the contents of this letter on the Monday night.

“I am very upset that they kept it from me and didn’t tell me what was going on. I am just at a loss for words.”

Mr Wright had received the most votes on the night but town mayor Jeanette Stilts claimed the decision was not lawful.

Mr Wright added: “I feel humiliated they knew all this was going on behind the scenes but dragged me out to a council meeting on Monday and hid it from me.

“At the end of the day I just wanted to provide my services to the people of Maldon and give back to the community, but I am not being allowed to do that.”

At a meeting on Monday, the town council replaced Mr Wright with Kevin Lagan.

Mrs Stilts added: “I am sorry for the distress which subsequent events must have caused to Mr Wright and his family.”

No explanation has been offered about why Mr Lagan was chosen ahead of Mr Wright.