A newly-elected Tory councillor from Hertfordshire has resigned after he allegedly made up claims that he had been suffering from cancer.
Darren Gilbert, 22, was elected to represent Hatfield Central on Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council during the local elections last Thursday.
But Mr Gilbert resigned on Thursday from the post after it was alleged he made up claims that he was sufferi
ng from cancer while employed by Tesco.
Mr Gilbert, from Hatfield, had been employed at the Welham Green depot from November 2003 until last year.
A supermarket source, who did not wish to be named, said Mr Gilbert had resigned ahead of a disciplinary hearing.
He said the former Tory councillor had made up claims that he had been suffering from testicular cancer.
He said that Mr Gilbert had even created a forged letter claiming to be from a Harley Street clinic detailing his illness.
A Tesco spokesman confirmed that Mr Gilbert had worked for the supermarket giant, but said it was not possible to comment on the employment records of former staff.
Once the allegations of the the claims surfaced an investigation was launched by the council.
Council leader John Dean, a Tory councillor, explained: "It was alleged that Mr Gilbert had made up claims that he had cancer while working in a previous job. Unfortunately, at his selection interview he failed to disclose certain aspects of his past employment."
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