A Labour councillor in Bristol has been disqualified less than three weeks after being elected because she teaches at a council-run school.
Deborah Vittori won her seat on 3 May but was told on Monday she was disqualified under the Local Government Act 1972 because she is a paid employee of Bristol City Council.
Ms Vittori said she had spoken about her role as a local primary school teacher throughout her election campaign, adding that it was a ‘great shame’ that the rule had not come to light sooner.
She said: ‘I am shocked, and absolutely gutted, to discover that, because of my job as a teacher in a local authority maintained primary school, the law will prevent me from serving the people of Horfield who put their trust in me.’
A council spokesperson said vetting prospective candidates was the responsibility of their agent and party political group.
A by-election is now expected.
