A COUNCILLOR has told how he has resigned “in disgust” after he was removed from a committee and not told about it.

Bill Rose, of Humber Road, Witham, has represented Witham West on Braintree Council and Witham Town Council since May last year, but there will now be a by-election to find his successor.

He resigned after discovering last Wednesday he had been removed from Braintree Council’s overview and scrutiny committee.

The former policeman with Essex Police and ex-Army officer with the Royal Corps of Signals said the first he knew of this when it was announced at a meeting of the committee in front of “all and sundry”.

Mr Rose said he was “pretty shocked” to find out he was no longer needed on the committee and to be told in front of fellow councillors without prior warning meant his “credibility had been seriously compromised”.

He felt he had no option, but to resign, and he has also quit Witham Town Council because “I can’t remain impartial on the town council when issues come up with Braintree”.

During 14 months on the council, Mr Rose has been heavily involved in campaigning for improved health services in Witham, helped secure a new bus shelter in Forest Road and pressured Network Rail to remove litter which is blocking a watercourse alongside the viaduct between Highfields Road and Chelmer Road.

Mr Rose, a Conservative councillor, said he thought long and hard about his decision, but said: “I cannot work with people who do not have my respect - I have very high standards and extremely high principles.”

He would not accept what he branded a “feeble excuse” from Graham Butland, leader of Braintree Council, that he had tried to contact Mr Rose to notify of his removal from the committee, but could not track him down.

Mr Rose said he had a variety of phone numbers and e-mail addresses, all of which were known to Braintree Council.

Mr Butland would not be drawn on why Mr Rose had been taken off of the overview and scrutiny committee.

He said: “Bill Rose has informed me that he has resigned from Braintree Council. “I am grateful for the contribution that he has made in the short time he has been a member and I wish him every success in the future.”