The mayor-elect of the London borough of Redbridge has withdrawn his nomination after it was revealed that his wife was involved in the killing of a TV executive.
Cllr Varinder Singh-Bola yesterday announced that he would withdraw his candidacy for the Mayor of Redbridge in the next municipal year 2019/20 to protect the post and his family.
His wife, Mundill Mahil, was convicted of grievous bodily harm in 2012 for luring 21-year-old Gagandip Singh to her Brighton flat, where he was attacked by another man, tied up and left to die in a burning car.
Mr Singh, the court heard, was attacked in revenge for trying to force himself on Ms. Mahil on a previous occasion.
Harvinder Shoker was convicted of murder and jailed for a minimum of 22 years. Darren Peters was also convicted of manslaughter and jailed for 12 years. Ms. Mahil was released on licence in 2014.
‘I have taken time and reflected on the events of the past weekend and the concerns of my family, friends and colleagues and have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for the Mayoralty of Redbridge,’ said Cllr Singh-Bola.
‘The Redbridge Mayoralty is a hugely important and distinguished position and one which I do not wish to do undue harm by allowing it to become mired in controversy.’
‘I stand united with my beloved wife and my wider family. They have always loved and supported me and now it is my time to shield them from public speculation and hearsay,’ he added.
The leader of the Redbridge Labour Group, Cllr Jas Athwal said: ‘I accept Cllr Singh-Bola’s decision to withdraw his nomination, we will now move on and look at further candidates for Mayor of Redbridge in 2019/20.’