NEWS SHOPPER is calling for this man to resign after new revelations about his council antics.


Councillor Stephen Padmore turned up to sign his name at a planning meeting in June - the first he had attended in six months - before quitting the room without explanation.


It's alleged he only made the fleeting appearance to dodge a council rule which sacks members who do not show their faces for six months.


The Lewisham Council meeting was initially put on hold as people assumed he had gone to the loo but committee members later collapsed into disbelieving giggles when they realised he had done a runner.


The New Cross ward councillor has effectively pocketed £4,906 for each of the two meetings he has been to since June last year as he receives an annual allowance of £9,812.


Mr Padmore’s showing on June 7 was the only one of 17 council meetings he was due to attend within six months - if he had not attended it, he would have legally been struck off from his post under council guidelines.


Lewisham Lib Dem leader Councillor Chris Maines said: "It is just a cynical exploiting of the rules.


"Clearly he is fit and able. The trouble is he is sulking because the Labour group took a chairmanship away from him but the people suffering are the residents.


"The meeting started at 7.30pm, he came in, they discussed one planning application and then he got up and went out.


"They sat there waiting and thought he had gone to the loo. There were still eight to 10 items on the agenda.


"It just became a bit of a joke."


Cllr Maines says Padmore should resign for the benefit of the New Cross residents he is neglecting.


He said: "It’s a cynical move to get him a tick [on the register] to carry on as a councillor. He will continue to do this.


"He should either resign and make way for someone who can do the job properly or pull his socks up.


"You would have thought they should call on him to resign - they protect him and cover him up.


"It is questionable whether he was there in January - stop protecting him."


There are rumours Cllr Padmore did not actually attend January's meeting as his name was added to the list afterwards.


Leader of the Lewisham Labour Group Alan Hall said: "His name was added - that is because he was there.


"It was added afterwards but it wasn’t by me. He just didn’t sign the book for some reason."


Cllr Hall says the party is looking into Mr Padmore’s attendance record and that previous health problems might be ongoing.


He added: "I have my own views - probably quite different to what has been suggested.


"The only person who can resign is him. A party can’t resign.


"All we can do is advise him but he has to write a letter of resignation."

Visit to Cllr Padmore's New Cross home

News Shopper reporter Sarah Trotter visited Cllr Padmore’s home off New Cross Road last week to give him a chance to argue his case after failing to get a reply to phone calls and emails.


The lights were off but there were a couple of windows open and a car outside.


Eventually an upstairs window opened and a woman poked her head out.

Sarah Trotter: Hello, is Mr Padmore here?
Lady: No, he’s out.
ST: Oh, do you know where he is?
L: I know his car is here but he’s gone out.
ST: Will he be back soon?
L: No, he’s away for the week.
ST: Where is he?
L: He’s staying with a friend.
ST: Do you know where?
L: [Evasive, smiles].
ST: Could you give him a message from me?
L: Yes.
ST: I’m just from the local paper and wanted to ask him a couple of questions - I’ve left my number and it would be really good if he could give me a call soon. [Posts note through door].
L: Yes.
ST: Can I ask, are you his wife?
L: [Pause] What do you think? [Giggles].
ST: I don’t know! [both giggle awkwardly before she closes the window].