A VETERAN councillor is quitting local politics after a quarter of a century in office.

Conservative Bryan Harker handed in his resignation to Maldon district and Heybridge Basin parish councils yesterday (Tuesday, August 25).

He became a district councillor in 1995.

District council leader Elaine Bamford “I am saddened that Bryan Harker has made the decision to resign as a district and parish councillor.

“Over the years he has dedicated so much of his time in representing the views of his community and supporting the council in general, and he has represented the district on a number of outside bodies.

“I would like to thank him for the great contribution he has made and wish him well for the future.”

Mr Harker was a non-aligned Conservative member of the district council, representing the Heybridge East ward.

The political balance of the council remains unaffected by his resignation.

His resignation comes after an investigation found formal council leader Adrian Fluker to have "bullied" and "deliberately humiliated" another councillor.

A by-election cannot take place for his district council seat until May 2021 because of the current Covid-19 restrictions.