Tory resigns amid cancer claims

A newly-elected councillor has resigned amid allegations he made false claims he had been suffering from cancer.

Tory councillor Darren Gilbert, 22, was elected to represent Hatfield Central on Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Hertfordshire, last week.

The claims were allegedly made when he was employed by Tesco.

Council leader, Conservative John Dean, said: "Unfortunately, at his selection interview he failed to disclose certain aspects of his past employment."

Employment records

Mr Gilbert, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, had been employed at the Welham Green depot from November 2003 until last year.

A Tesco spokesman confirmed that Mr Gilbert had worked for the supermarket, but said it was not possible to comment on the employment records of former staff.

Mr Dean said: "It was alleged that Mr Gilbert had made up claims that he had cancer while working in a previous job.

"As soon as the Welwyn Hatfield Association were made aware of this we made our own inquiries.

"Mr Gilbert resigned from his position yesterday. He is no longer a Conservative councillor."