THE EX-MAYOR of Redbridge, Cllr Dev Sharma, resigned from the council and from civic office after it was revealed he was never eligible to stand for election.
But as he handed back his mayoral robes Mr Sharma vowed he would be back.
Maintaining that his disqualification from public office was a mere technicality, Mr Sharma added his resignation as mayor was just "one of those things".
Since his election to Redbridge Council in 1994 Mr Sharma has been labouring under the misconception that he was free to stand in an election even though he holds a politically-restricted job at Newham Council.
Working for a local authority and earning over a certain thresh-hold means the Newbury Park ex-councillor is disqualified from public office unless he applies for permission from a Government-appointed adjudicator.
And two weeks ago, Redbridge Council was alerted to the fact that the mayor did not have the proper paperwork.
While Mr Sharma does have an exemption form obtained over a decade ago from his previous employer, Oxfordshire County Council, it is now invalid.
The educational psychologist says the confusion arose when he left Oxford and began working for Newham Council in 1990.
Believing the exemption obtained in Oxford would stand in London, Mr Sharma stood for election in Redbridge and has represented the people of Newbury Park for the last eight years.
After his unprecedented resignation last Wednesday, Mr Sharma said: "I feel upset and disappointed but it's one of those things that happen.
"I have acted in good faith about the validity of that particular document. My current employer has known all along I'm an elected member of this council.
"It's a technicality, nothing more than that."
A by-election will now be called in early July and Mr Sharma has already announced his intention to stand.
Praising the ex-mayor, Redbridge Council leader Cllr Keith Axon said: "Mr Sharma has handled the situation with great distinction. We are dealing with a man of tremendous intregity."
Cllr Axon pledged to support the Labour politican in his bid to return as mayor, if he is successful in the Newbury Park by-election.
For the time being, the mayor's civic duties will be shared between the deputy mayor, Cllr John Coombes, and ex-mayors of Redbridge currently serving as councillors.
June 6, 2002 10:30
