NORTH Kent’s only BNP councillor has resigned after two years - saying he was not “morally justified” to claim a weekly allowance after moving out of the area.

Paul Golding, one of two councillors for the St Mary’s Swanley ward, resigned from Sevenoaks District Council with immediate effect on Monday February 28.

Mr Golding said: “I’ve moved out of the area. I didn’t think it was morally justified to keep getting the allowance. It’s as simple as that, no drama involved.”

Mr Golding was accused by his constituents of “doing nothing” for the area since his election, with Labour councillor for the St Mary’s ward John Underwood saying: “He never turns up for anything. He's been to about three meetings in the last council year, never taken on a committee post. he's never represented anybody.”

But Mr Golding insisted: “I busted a gut for them and have been doing case work with residents for 5 or 6 months, wrangling with the council.

“I’ve given my own number out about 15 times. But the powers of a single councillor are limited, I did the best I could.”

Cllr Underwood said he believes Mr Golding’s decision to resign before the May 5 elections reflects the fact the BNP is involved in a costly court case over its membership policy.

Mr Golding’s vacated seat will be contested at the District Council elections on May 5. He did not tell News Shopper what his future plans would be.

Paul Golding a timeline

February 2009 - Paul Golding is elected, beating Labour candidate Michael Hogg by 408 votes to 332.

August 2009 - He attends a BNP Red White and Blue family festival in Derbyshire - where an undercover News of the World reporter records a 12-year-old burning a gollywog. Mr Golding condemned these actions.

August 2009 - As part of the BNP’s anti-media campaign, Operation Fightback, he made a video to prove that a woman convicted of intimidating an Asian mother was not a BNP member. Later investigations confirmed that Helen Forster was a member, but had registered under a different name.

September 2009 - St Mary’s constituents accuse Mr Golding of “doing nothing” for them since his election.

October 2009 - The BNP threatens to boycott three News Shopper advertisers unless they pull their adverts, calling the paper “a particularly venomous anti-British left-wing propaganda outlet”.