A Labour councillor has resigned after taking a new role in the Government which he says is “politically restricted.”

Charles Willis, Labour councillor for Westborough ward in Southend announced he has stepped down from the Council.

Charles said: “I have been given the opportunity to take on a new role in the Civil Service which is politically restricted. To avoid a conflict of interest, I have decided to stand down as a councillor representing Westborough residents. It was a very hard decision to make and representing Westborough Ward was always an honour and a complete pleasure.

“My two fellow councillors, Kevin Robinson and Anne Jones, will still represent the wishes of Westborough residents on Southend Council. We formed an effective partnership that delivered real benefits for the Ward, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work at the Council on Westborough’s behalf”.

He said his decision took him about a day and was a difficult one for him to take and that he had hoped to stay politically active but he hopes to be back as a councillor soon.