A LIBERAL democrat councillor and former mayor of Otley is at the centre of a probe into claims he spun a web of lies about being a war hero.

Online group, The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, posted a dossier of evidence accusing Peter Jackson of making up his service record.

Jackson claimed on his LinkedIn page to have been an ex Royal Military Police soldier in the Special Investigation Branch and an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel - as well as having graduated from Sandhurst with a Bachelor of Law degree.

He is said to be director of a company called Crown Services Ltd and his biography on the website says: “Peter served in the British Army Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch. Upon his discharge he worked in the investigation industry where he applied his special skills in many Investigative techniques.”

Pictures show Jackson marching in a Remembrance Day parade in uniform and wearing medals, but investigators claim no service history can be found for him.

In a statement on Facebook, Otley Town Council said: “The Council has been made aware of allegations concerning an elected councillor.

“The Council is investigating the claims made. We are determined to establish the facts quickly and cannot comment further until that has been done.”

Meanwhile, the Royal Military Police Association (RMPA) said: “It has been brought to the attention of the RMPA, that Mr Jackson has made statements, and published photographs that would appear to show that he served in the corps of Royal Military Police (RMP), perhaps between 1974 and 1990.

“Further Mr Jackson has stated that his service with the RMP included undergoing specialised prolonged training in Law at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

“In photos published bearing his name as the subject, he is seen to be wearing, on his chest, whilst in some form of uniform, depicting to the viewer that the wearer may have achieved the rank of Lieutenant - Colonel (he also may be seen in video to be wearing our famous ‘Red Cap’), and in civilian attire, various medals including the GSM NI, which is embellished with an Oak Leaf, indicating that he was Mentioned in Despatches.

“He also appears to be wearing a South Atlantic Medal with Rosette, awarded to those who served in the Falklands War of 1982. He also wears other medals that may lead people to believe that he was decorated for further gallant actions.

“It is a matter of public knowledge that Mr Jackson has stated on his curriculum vitae and other business-related narrative backgrounds that he was made an “Honorary Lieutenant – Colonel RMP”.

“The RMPA are unable to substantiate any claims made by Mr Jackson relating to service in the RMP, or indeed any other such statements made by him on public forums which may lead people to believe that he served and earned any rank, awards, recognitions, qualifications, titles, or honorary rank.

“The RMPA has attempted to approach Mr Jackson via email and phone in order that it may verify with him any of the claims currently causing upset within the wider Veterans’ community. Such attempts have not elicited a response, at the time of writing.

“The RMP took part in the liberation of the Falkland Islands in 1982 and is able to identify all those who wore our cap badge at the time who deployed as part of the Task Force

"The RMPA has neither sought nor granted permission for Mr Jackson to wear British Army uniform.

"It is unusual for any veteran to wear or indeed be allowed to wear a uniform, any such uniform if authorised would in any case be expected to show and have clear indication that the wearer has retired from the army and is no longer serving, uniforms may of course be worn as part of a drama or play or as part of a historical re-enactment society, where such a uniform would be clearly ‘out of date’ and worn in the correct setting.

"It is the wish of the RMPA that if Mr Jackson feels that any of his claims can be verified, that he opens a dialogue with the Association as soon as possible in order that we may assist him in clarifying his record of service and any honours and awards received and thus rightly worn.”

The Sun reported Mr Jackson is currently on holiday on Jamaica, has quit as a Lib Dem and councillor and told the paper: "No matter what I say or prove the damage already done is irreversible.”

In an update today, Otley Town Council said: "Further to our statement on Friday, January 21, we have received the resignation of Otley Town Councillor Peter Jackson with immediate effect.

"We cannot comment any further at this stage."